RAF Mildenhall
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The base was first erected in the early 1930s and was to be the hub of the RAF bomber world, hosting Wellington, Sterling and Lancaster bombers. During World War II, the Americans, designated as the 100th Bombardment Group, flew missions in their B-17 Flying Fortresses from Thorpe Abbots (near Diss) over numerous German and other axis targets, losing many aircraft and men on missions. Because of their many losses, often 100 or more at a time (10 men to an aircraft), they had been given the nickname 'The Bloody 100th'.
The B-17s of the 100th BG were easily noticed by their tail designator, a large D in a square box, known as the Square D. Today, the KC-135s of RAF Mildenhall carry on the 100th BGs legacy by wearing the Square D as their tail flash (the only active-duty US Air Force base to do so).
It was in 1950 that American personnel and aircraft were invited to RAF Mildenhall where they have been since, going through several changes in aircraft fleets, from Reconnaissance aircraft to the KC-135R Stratotankers that they have today, which first arrived at Mildenhall in 1970.
There are 15 KC-135s permanently assigned to Mildenhall, as well as several other aircraft, to include UC-12 Huron aircraft belonging to the Navy contingent and MH-53 Pave Low helicopters, MC-130 and EC-130 aircraft belonging to the 352nd Special Operations Group (a tenant unit on the base). The main mission of the base is to conduct air refuelling, force reception, force deployment and support operations for the United States and NATO anytime, anywhere.
There can often be seen many other different USAF and NATO aircraft parked on the RAF Mildenhall ramp as they host many transient aircraft passing through the theatre.
Weblinks:
RAF Mildenhall
Codename Suffolk
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