Hundreds of air crew to leave RAF Lakenheath as US Air Force relocates squadrons

Pararescuemen assigned to Royal Air Forces Lakenheath's 57th Rescue Squadron depart an HH-60G Pave Hawk during the Joint Warrior 15-1 training exercise in Scotland, April 21, 2015. Photo: Senior Airman Erin O'Shea Archant

Around 350 US aircrew will leave RAF Lakenheath for Italy, the US Air Force revealed today.

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The 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, currently assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing at the Suffolk base, will relocate to Aviano Air Base, Italy.

The Air Force said the move would improve training opportunities and bring the squadrons closer to regional hot spots.

“It has been a truly rewarding experience living and training in the UK,” said Lt. Col. Bernard Smith, 56th Rescue Squadron commander. “The support and fellowship we have been shown during our time here will always be a special memory.”

“From a geographic standpoint, this movement will enable us to be more agile in our support to personnel recovery requirements across Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia,” Smith added. “We are excited for the transfer of our mission to Italy and growing upon the relationships we have formed from the past several years of staging rescue operations from there.”

These squadrons of aircraft, aircrew, Guardian Angel Weapons Systems and support personnel are slated to begin relocating in 2017.

This includes five HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters and approximately 350 aircrew.

“Saving lives is at the heart of our mission, so moving to Italy, where we’re better postured to provide rescue capabilities quickly and effectively, just makes sense,” said Lt. Col. Jose Cabrera, 57th Rescue Squadron commander. “Our partnership with the UK is as strong as ever. While we’ll miss the great support and hospitality we’ve experienced in England, we certainly look forward to forging new relationships and conducting training operations in Italy.”

The leader of Forest Heath District Council, councillor James Waters, responded to the news on Friday by saying: “The bigger picture to all of this is that the USAF is still committed to expanding its presence at RAF Lakenheath and we were expecting a shuffling of its pack ahead of the arrival of the F-35s and 1,200 additional personnel.

“We continue to be in regular liaison with both the USAFE and the MOD over the changes at both RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, and we will have further talks to understand and minimise the impact of these changes to our local communities.”