Question Re American Airbases in the UK
Discussion
I often read about Soviet incursion into UK airspace, or maybe not into our airspace but close enough to need a couple of our chaps with a big stick to shadow them, ( often dramatised by the DM).
My question is, there are US fighter squadrons (48th fighter wing?) based in the UK, are they not allowed or are they not permitted to lend a helping hand, given that they are effectively under "threat"?. Can anyone explain the role the USAF are allowed within UK airspace as to what they can and cannot do with regard to assistance or engagement?.
Bear in mind I work on the Railway and I know very little about military stuff apart from an interest in WW2 fighter planes on 1/72 scale.
My question is, there are US fighter squadrons (48th fighter wing?) based in the UK, are they not allowed or are they not permitted to lend a helping hand, given that they are effectively under "threat"?. Can anyone explain the role the USAF are allowed within UK airspace as to what they can and cannot do with regard to assistance or engagement?.
Bear in mind I work on the Railway and I know very little about military stuff apart from an interest in WW2 fighter planes on 1/72 scale.
The Russians are just teasing, Aliens are the real threat... 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_in...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_in...
I was thinking more of this actually....wrong link due to fine single malt is hopefully excusable?
https://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2011/01/mysteriou...
https://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2011/01/mysteriou...
Leading on from the title of this thread I am amazed that, during the Second World War, so many Airbases were built, really from 1942 - 45. Both the RAF and US must have built 50 or more and I believe the US bases were largely imported material?? Now it takes us 10 - 20 years to build a runway!
texaxile said:
My question is, there are US fighter squadrons (48th fighter wing?) based in the UK, are they not allowed or are they not permitted to lend a helping hand, given that they are effectively under "threat"?.
It's done "on request" of the host nation so while the RAF has enough QRA to cover we'd not ask for help, but should we get "swamped" then we could request the USAF to help. You can see examples of this currently in the Baltic states where NATO has been requested by the host nations to provide a QRA force as the host nation is unable to cope alone, either due to numbers of aircraft available or political reasons.Flying Phil said:
Leading on from the title of this thread I am amazed that, during the Second World War, so many Airbases were built, really from 1942 - 45. Both the RAF and US must have built 50 or more and I believe the US bases were largely imported material?? Now it takes us 10 - 20 years to build a runway!
Which runway has taken anyone 10 to 20 years to build?belleair302 said:
Heathrow or Gatwick have been planning runway expansion for well over 20 years. No building yet and it wont happen for another ten.
"Planning" isn't "building".In peace time, in a democracy, the considerations and views of the citizens are kind of important. Things are different when one is in a war for national survival.
Eric Mc said:
In peace time, in a democracy, the considerations and views of the citizens are kind of important. Things are different when one is in a war for national survival.
We are experts at peacetime complacency. 'We're not at war! We don't need armed forces! I want cake and benefits!' demands dumb Johnny Voter.Bert Cheese said:
The Russians are just teasing, Aliens are the real threat...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_in...
One of the “characters” from a part of the internet I used to frequent made up a load of nonsense to claim responsibility. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_in...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howabo...
Simpo Two said:
We are experts at peacetime complacency. 'We're not at war! We don't need armed forces! I want cake and benefits!' demands dumb Johnny Voter.
Hmm- that doesn't justify bulldozing towns and ordering citizens out of their homes just to expand an airport. It might be justifiable in times of national emergency. But I wouldn't put adding an extra runway at Heathrow as a national emergency.Eric Mc said:
Hmm- that doesn't justify bulldozing towns and ordering citizens out of their homes just to expand an airport. It might be justifiable in times of national emergency. But I wouldn't put adding an extra runway at Heathrow as a national emergency.
That's a civil issue, so not relevant to the debate. It was only brought up as a foil to the lightning-fast building of airfields in WW2, quite a different matter.... 'Hi, is that Hitler? Yes, Whitehall here. Can you hold off with the attacks until 1962 please? Yep, I know it's along time but that's how long it will take before we can build more bomber bases... why? Well, first there's the consultation, and then the planning permission, and pollution concerns, not to mention local residents, and howling protesters from the green lobby... what's that Adolf, you don't have a green lobby, no? Hah you shot them all, is that right?'. [bobnewhartmodeoff]Haven't got a clue what you are saying, to be honest.
My point was in relation to the earlier point raised by someone else inferring that it takes too long for decisions to be made about modern airfield extensions or construction.
In a country which is not fighting for its national survival, it is right and proper that disruptive projects are dealt with in a systematic and detailed way before any final decisions are made.
WW2 was quite exceptional in that, pre-war, there were very few airfields and those that existed were virtually all grass and relatively small. The advent of large, heavy aircraft in massive numbers dictated that hundreds of concrete or tarmac runways needed to be built, fast.
As a result, the UK ended up with more airfields per square mile than any country in the world. The Americans referred to it as The Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier. Even today, that legacy of hundreds of airfields is still with us in that many of these airfields are still in use - either as airfields or some other purpose, such as motor racing or industrial estates.
My point was in relation to the earlier point raised by someone else inferring that it takes too long for decisions to be made about modern airfield extensions or construction.
In a country which is not fighting for its national survival, it is right and proper that disruptive projects are dealt with in a systematic and detailed way before any final decisions are made.
WW2 was quite exceptional in that, pre-war, there were very few airfields and those that existed were virtually all grass and relatively small. The advent of large, heavy aircraft in massive numbers dictated that hundreds of concrete or tarmac runways needed to be built, fast.
As a result, the UK ended up with more airfields per square mile than any country in the world. The Americans referred to it as The Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier. Even today, that legacy of hundreds of airfields is still with us in that many of these airfields are still in use - either as airfields or some other purpose, such as motor racing or industrial estates.
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