US military base vital to home security, says MP

An MP has said the presence of a US airbase in Suffolk is vital for the country's security, following aircraft being moved from the site.

More than 12 US Air Force aircraft left RAF Mildenhall weeks after the US withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford over a suspected Iran-linked security incident.

The shadow defence secretary and South Suffolk Conservative MP, James Cartlidge, said he had not been told of the reasons for the exodus but felt it was "important we maintain the US presence in the UK and in Europe" for the UK's protection.

Downing Street has insisted British airbases are safe and that their security is a "top priority".

"What we know for certain is that two such incidents have now occurred: Fairford and Mildenhall," said Cartlidge.

"It underlines a need more generally to strengthen our defences in this country.

"Having the US based in Suffolk and in Oxfordshire, and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, makes us safer.

"It's much less likely that an adversary like Russia or anyone else would consider an attack whilst we have such a strong US presence."

Almost all of the base's aircraft were reported to have left the base on Monday.

BBC Verify was able to see USAF KC-135 tankers leaving RAF Mildenhall throughout the day, using public flight-tracking site Flightradar24 - and they have not been seen to return.

The airbase, situated outside the small market town of Mildenhall, is mostly used for refuelling and maintenance operations.

It has also been used as a staging area for aircraft and material bound for the Middle East.

Flights carrying US presidents, including Donald Trump, have often used it, and Trump came through RAF Mildenhall on his way back to the US from a Nato summit in Ankara in July.

About 3,000 military personnel are stationed at the site, which belongs to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) but is operated by the US Air Force (USAF).

On social media, there has been speculation that the runway is being resurfaced, prompting the move to divert the tankers.

A technical bulletin has been issued by UK air traffic control service NATS to the airbase's users, announcing a "general airfield closure" from 18:00 GMT on 10 November to 06:00 on 13 November.

The bulletin also shows work is being undertaken on hardstands - areas on the base's apron where planes can be parked and passengers boarded and offloaded.

Residents living close to the base have told how they have been unfazed by the planes leaving for Germany, Spain and Scotland.

Carole Sinclair said: "I don't feel frightened at all."

Her husband Brian Sinclair echoed her sentiments, and said: "As far as I am concerned, it's not real. Life goes on here without any threats.

"We know we've got an airbase, but as far as we're concerned they're here to do a job and I'm happy with that."

Town shopkeeper Elliott Papworth added he was not worried by the situation.

"I think it's just another bit of hearsay or another bit of what might be going on, but until there's any certainty - it's just 'get on with everything that's going on in the town'," he said.

On Tuesday, a US Air Force spokesperson said its aircraft "rotate between installations and operating locations for a variety of reasons including training and real world requirements".

"Due to operations security, we will not provide further information on movement of assets," they added.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC: "We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations. Aircraft and other assets move regularly ​according to operational ​requirements."

The prime minister's official spokesperson had said "the protection of our bases, both in the UK and across the world, is a top priority".

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