A U.S. official told The War Zone that enhanced force-protection measures were in effect at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath after aircraft moved, while an Iran-related explanation remained an unconfirmed Wall Street Journal report.
The official, speaking Monday, Nov. 9, did not describe the measures or say what prompted them. DefenceGeek, an open-source flight-tracking account, placed CV-22B aircraft on a route from Mildenhall to Lakenheath and tracked several KC-135 tankers bound for Spangdahlem or Prestwick. It said the available information did not establish whether the flights were part of an exercise or a response to a possible threat.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said aircraft move between installations for “training and real world requirements,” but gave no details about this group of flights.
Citing people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal tied aircraft departures from Mildenhall to an Iran threat. The U.S. official did not mention Iran, and the military statements did not confirm that connection.
Mildenhall is home to the U.S. Air Force’s 100th Air Refueling Wing, which operates KC-135 aircraft. U.S. Air Force information lists F-15E and F-35A fighter squadrons at Lakenheath.
