What happened is that the US Air Force temporarily moved a number of aircraft, including KC-135 refuelling tankers, from RAF Mildenhall to other bases in Germany, Spain, Scotland and nearby RAF Lakenheath after reports of a security threat linked to Iran. Security levels at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath were reportedly raised to FPCON Charlie, indicating intelligence suggesting a likely terrorist threat.
Importantly:
- RAF Mildenhall remains a major US Air Force base in the UK.
- It is still home to the USAF’s 100th Air Refueling Wing and other US units.
- The aircraft movements appear to have been a protective dispersal measure, not the closure or abandonment of the base.
There was a separate proposal many years ago to close RAF Mildenhall, but the US later reversed that decision and retained the base.
So the short answer is: they haven’t pulled out of Mildenhall. Some aircraft were temporarily relocated because of a reported security threat, but the US military presence remains in place.
