The second unit is the 67th Special Operations Squadron (Night Owls), which operates the MC-130P Combat Shadow, using night vision goggles to provide long-range, low-level infiltration, exfiltration, and re-supply of special operations forces in hostile or denied territory. The squadron also operates combat search and rescue, medical evacuations, and assists with humanitarian operations. The squadron's aircraft are uniquely capable of providing clandestine air refueling support to special operations helicopters and the new tilt-rotor Boeing-Bell CV-22 Osprey aircraft. There are strong rumours that Mildenhall will eventually take on a unit of the CV-22's, however no one would or could confirm this during our visit. We will have to wait and see.

MC-130H 87-0024 taxying out from the SOG ramp at Mildenhall for an afternoon mission

The Lockheed MC-130H aircraft features terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radars capable of operations as low as 250 feet in adverse weather conditions. The navigation suite includes dual ring-laser gyro's, mission computers and an integrated global positioning system. An extensive electronic warfare suite enables the aircrew to detect and avoid potential threats and if engaged, the system is designed to protect the aircraft from both radar and infrared-guided threats. The MC-130H can also be equipped with aerial refueling pods to provide in-flight refueling of special operations forces and combat search and rescue helicopters. The AN/APQ-170 radar was developed especially for the MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft. Flight testing of the MC-130H began in September 1988 and the first MC-130H Combat Talon II arrived at Hurlburt Field, Florida on 29th June 1992, and after acceptance testing, began official flying operations on 17th October 1992. In April 1996, MC-130H Talon II aircraft from the 7th Special Operations Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall deployed to Liberia in support of Operation Assured Response. Special Operations troops evacuated more than 2,000 Americans and citizens of other countries from Monrovia following 4 days of intense fighting by rival militias.

(On the right can be seen the flight deck of a Mildenhall MC-130H Combat Talon) 

An MC-130P "Combat Shadow" taxies back into the SOG ramp at Mildenhall on 18th July 2011

The MC-130P variant of the Hercules primarily flies missions at night to reduce the probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Modifications to the MC-130P feature improved navigation, communications, threat detection and countermeasures systems. The Combat Shadow fleet has a fully-integrated inertial navigation and global positioning system, and night vision goggle compatible interior and exterior lighting. It also has forward looking infrared, radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, night vision goggle compatible heads-up display, satellite and data-burst communications, as well as in-flight refueling capability, both as a provider or as a receiver. The MC-130P's were previously designated as HC-130N or HC-130P, however the "H" designation is a rescue and recovery mission code and not representative of the aircraft's special operations role. So in February 1996 Air Force Special Operations Command's fleet was redesignated as the MC-130P, aligning the Combat Shadow with other M-series special operations mission aircraft. The aircraft have been part of the special operations mission since the mid-1980s and have provided critical air refueling to Army and Air Force helicopters throughout that time.

 MC-130P 64-14854 sits on the SOG ramp at Mildenhall on 18th July 2011

Close up of the FLIR ball and the re-fuelling pod of a Mildenhall MC-130P Hercules

The two photograph's above show the flight deck and the flight engineer/communication systems officers position inside a MC-130P Combat Shadow

A RC-135V "Rivet Joint" having just landed on Runway 29 at RAF Mildenhall

Although no aircraft are permanantly assigned to any other units at RAF Mildenhall, the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron frequently operates Boeing RC-135 aircraft from here, providing European and Mediterranean reconnaissance, real-time intelligence, information warfare and combat support to USAFE. The squadron executes missions using the Boeing RC-135 and OC-135 'Open Skies' aircraft. The OC/RC-135's are a variant of the KC-135 Stratotanker, much of the aircraft being filled with electronic equipment in the forward section of the fuselage, whilst the crew positions tend to be in the aft section. As with the KC-135's the aircraft have undergone numerous modifications, including re-engining with the CFM-56 power plants and installation of more modern instrumentation and navigation eqipment in the flight deck. Most TDY aircraft with the unit tend to be the RC-135V or W variants, but often a RC-135S "Cobra Ball" or RC-135U aircraft makes an appearance., along with OC-135's operating Open Skies missions.

The Transient Ramp

As well as the resident aircraft RAF Mildenhall sees a wide variety of transients from the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army. It is one of those bases where you can never be quite sure what will turn up next. Probably the most common types are Air Mobility Command (AMC) Lockheed C-5 Galaxy's and Boeing C-17A Globemaster's, both of which are not uncommon sights. However Air National Guard (ANG) and stateside based KC-135R's are also fairly regular visitors, plus of course the ubiquitos C-130 Hercules, of which you could see any variety from Air Force, Navy, Marine and ANG units. The stateside based units are not alone in using Mildenhall as a staging point however, the Turkish Air Force, Saudi Air Force and many other foreign air arms use its available space when needs be, so don't be surprised at anything you may see on a visit. It would be possible to fill a book with the various aircraft transitting through, but below is a very small selection of what can be seen on any given day.

06-6156 from the 60th AMW at Travis AFB, California having just landed.

One of many Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster's using RAF Mildenhall's AMC Terminal

A distant shot of a New York Air National Guard Lockheed C-5A Galaxy sat on the AMC ramp.

Many AMC aircraft overnight at Mildenhall before returning stateside or progressing East.

Apart from the regular RC-135 traffic, it's not unusual to see 55th RW OC-135 and WC-135 (above) aircraft at Mildenhall

As we mentioned above, Air Natiional Guard KC-135's regularly use RAF Mildenhall as a staging post on their way to and from the

U.S.A when deploying for Afghan operations. The one above is from the 191st ARS, Utah ANG based in Salt Lake City

With the Special Forces unit being based at RAF Mildenhall it is not surprising that the US-based units use it as a transit point also.

The Lockheed AC-130 'Gunships' are certainly not a common sight, however 2011 seems to have seen rather more than in previous years.

Bristling with the clearly visible cannons & howitzer, 90-0163 (above) is an AC-130U from the 4th SOS/1st SOW at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

A Brief History of RAF Mildenhall:  RAF Mildenhall first opened on 16th October 1934, as one of the RAF's largest bomber stations and received its first squadron and aircraft with the arrival of 99B Squadron, equipped with Handley Page Heyford bombers.

Throughout World War II, Mildenhall remained active, and in addition to its own airfield the base held responsibility for satellite airfields at Newmarket, Tuddenham, and Lakenheath. For the duration of the war, except for a brief period to have concrete runways laid in 1943, RAF Mildenhall was involved in most of RAF Bomber Command's numerous offensives against Germany. The base withstood several attacks by the German Luftwaffe, but was never put out of commission. The bombers from RAF Mildenhall flew their last bombing mission with an attack against Bremen on 22nd April 1945.

Immediately after the war, Mildenhall participated in humanitarian missions, flying home repatriated prisoners of war and dropping relief supplies to the Dutch people stranded by the flooding caused by the retreating German Army. By the end of 1945, Mildenhall operational activity experienced a drastic decrease, and despite a brief flurry of flying activity in the late 1940s, the RAF reduced the base to 'care and maintenance' status.

On 12th July 1950, the 93rd Bomb Group arrived at RAF Mildenhall and began operations. Shortly afterwards the 509th Bomb Wing arrived at Mildenhall, replacing the 93rd Bomb Group. The arrival of the 509th touched off a sequence of transitions, with the 2nd Bomb Wing replacing the 509th in May 1951, followed by the 22nd Bomb Wing replacing the 2nd Bomb Wing later that same year. In October 1951, Strategic Air Command (SAC) took control of the station and bombers rotated in and out of Mildenhall on temporary duty (TDY) assignments from the United States. 

From 1954 through to 1958, US politics influenced USAF activities within the United Kingdom, fostering a period of force reduction and modernization. Gradually, the number of Air Force personnel decreased, and SAC departed RAF Mildenhall in late 1958, as its runway no longer met the requirements for its newer aircraft. 

In late 1959, RAF Mildenhall became the home for the Military Air Transports Service (later Military Airlift Command) Air Passenger Terminal in the United Kingdom, with the 7513th Air Base Group providing service to the terminal. Late 1965 saw the arrival of the 7120th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (7120 ACCS), previously stationed at Chateauroux Air Station, France, and upon its arrival at Mildenhall, the 7120 ACCS converted from the Douglas C-118 to the Boeing EC-135.

On 8th June 1966 the base received yet another unit, the 513th Troop Carrier Wing (513 TCW), which relocated from Evreaux-Fauville Air Base, France. With its activation on Mildenhall, the 513 TCW assumed operational control of two Military Airlift Command rotational Lockheed C-130 Hercules squadrons and the 7120 ACCS. For the next four years RAF Mildenhall witnessed little change, with only the 10 ACCS replacing the 7120 ACCS, and assuming its mission. However, in the summer of 1972, the base added to the list of its tenants with the arrival of Headquarters Third Air Force, which relocated from South Ruislip Air Station.

The next significant event in Mildenhall history came with the arrival of Detachment 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, which controlled rotational Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' and Lockheed U-2R aircraft from the base. Four years after they began rotational duty at Mildenhall, the base became a permanent station for the SR-71 in January 1983, with departure of the last SR-71 on 18th January 1990.

On 18th June 1987, HQ USAFE redesignated the 513 TAW as the 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing (513 ACCW). Nearly five years later, during the Air Force's transition to the objective wing structure, the Air Force inactivated the 513 ACCW and activated the 100th Air Refueling Wing in its place. The activation of the 100th ARW at RAF Mildenhall saw the return of the unit to the country in which it built its war fighting heritage and legacy. Over three years later, RAF Mildenhall welcomed the 352nd Special Operations Group, which transferred from RAF Alconbury in April 1995.

We would like to thank the following people for arranging our access to RAF Mildenhall's units and providing the opportunity for us to illustrate this article:-