Great video. My family was at Woodbridge/Bentwaters 1973-1977 & 1985-1989. It's sad to see the bases be torn down and so many memories gone. When I was stationed at Mildenhall from 1999-2005 I drove my wife and kids around to see my old stomping grounds. Many many memories.
7:10 The control tower shown at RAF Sculthorpe was sadly demolished in February of this year (2022) due to high levels of vandalism, but mainly people tresspassing and the structural integrity. Great video Mark, and may the USAF protect our skies for many more years to come!
Reminiscing , as I just lost my Dad at age 89 this month. I was born at Lakenheath while my Dad was stationed at Bentwaters in the late 60’s. Then went to K-2nd grades on Alconbury when he was stationed there. My sisters were teens and went to Molesworth JH. Such great memories …thank you for posting !!!
Thank you for your response. Sorry for your loss. I was a so called 'Military Brat' of the 1960/70's era. I agree that we all have great memories of those times but possibly didn't appreciate the experience at the time. The arrogance of youth I guess. Kind regards to you and yours...
@@Chelveston78 thank you so much. Agreed ….arrogance and lack of perspective of youth indeed….most of us loved being military brats in the 60/70’s, but didn’t really appreciate the special-ness of it until we got older. Our parents gave us great adventures with their choice to go military and overseas….plus I had a English mom, so we stayed over in the UK as long as we could. All the best to you…
I was assigned there in 1969 to 2163 Comm Sq. Had some great times there and in surrounding area. I met my wife who is from Harlow, Essex. I have returned to the area several times and still love it.
My first base was Lakenheath. I loved and hated every second of it but I got a wife out of my time there so it wasn't too bad. I'm seriously considering going back to England when I get out of the air force
Hi Mark it is with sadness that in the past week the MOD has announced that RAF Wethersfield is to close completely and that the Volunteer Commemorative Museum on the base has been served with notice to quite the site.
Thank you John for this update. I'm sure many will be saddened by the news but it was inevitable given that the MoD Police HQ Operation has now been relocated elsewhere. What next for the Base? Housing, Industrial use or this so called 'Super Prison' that has been talked about? Surely Wethersfield Airfield Museum could be accommodated within any new development so preserving that historical association with the past? But who am I kidding. We only think about such things when it's too late to do anything. Hopefully, I wish the Museum and its volunteers a successful 'New Beginning' at another location but it should remain on site where it rightly belongs! Thanks again for this sad but expected update. All the best to you...
Inactivated? We would normally say deactivated or for a military establishment decommissioned. inactive would be used when referring to a person who doesn't move much.
Hi, thank you for your comment. I guess another example of the peculiarity and interpretation of the English language with two words essentially meaning the same thing? Many references are made to the word, 'Inactivation' in respect of US Air Force Bases that have been closed with their respective Wings/Commands being 'Reactivated' at another location. The History of the 20th Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford, England Publication (1994) is one example stating the 'Inactivation' of the 20th FW on 1 January 1994 at UH and its subsequent 'Reactivation' at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. Maybe such parlance is Military related speak??? The English language.... I wish you well.
@@Chelveston78 Yes English is different around the world even in parts of UK as constantly evolving. 16th/17th century English (US English based very loosely on this) very different to modern. No wonder that its said that it is the hardest language to learn for a non native speaker as written English has no accents or umlauts to show when a vowel or consonant changes its pronunciation/sound in a word or its a silent letter(s). No official standard form as French and others have. That's why many English words get 'adopted' into a language as they have no equivalent word for something new. The aviation and maritime industries have their own standard English for RT use to avoid any misunderstanding.
I was quartered at Woodbridge whilst serving with the British Army at Wattisham (96-99). My quarter was directly behind the High School and I got to watch it rot and decay for 3 years. I can never understand why the British Army allowed the infrastructure at Woodbridge to rot whilst spending millions on new buildings at Wattisham.
Thank you for your response. I visited my old school at Woodbridge in 2003 (authorised visit). Only ten years after the USAF vacated the Base, I was shocked at how the site had been consumed by 'Mother Nature' but the building was in a sorry state. It had a flat roof which I guess didn't help with the water ingress into the building with the interior being wet/damp. The building, so I'm told, was also contaminated with asbestos? Sadly, it didn't appear worth saving but the school's new gymnasium (built in the 1980's) was a different matter and could have been adapted for use by personnel at Rock Barracks. I don't know the cost of redeveloping the site but I believe that MoD Woodbridge - 'Rock Barracks' was earmarked for closure within the next few years but this decision has since been shelved??
@@Chelveston78 Yes I was surprised when the MOD announced the closure of Rock Barracks given how much they had spent on development, but as you say that decision looks to have been shelved now. I wonder if Asbestos was the reason the MOD never took on the buildings at Woodbridge.
@@ron9516 I just think that this was a new project which had been budgeted/costed and the intention was not to retain/refurbish any existing structures. It is sad to see parts of the former Base today that have been trespassed and vandalised, notably the Control Tower and Weapons Storage Area - I assume this is still MoD property and can't understand why the lack of security? The steel doors on the Hardened Aircraft Shelters have been removed. Times have changed....
Thank you for this information. I have asked this question in every video reference to RAF Alconbury I've posted - most recently a Revised/Updated RAF Alconbury & Molesworth 423rd ABG Group video. Surprised that there wasn't a purpose built High School during my era (1970's) given the Mission and size of the Base back in those days? Interesting that only the Junior and Senior Classes had to dorm at Lakenheath. All the best..
@@Chelveston78 I was in the first Alconbury graduating class in 1982. We also gained students from Chicksands who went to dorms at London Central at High Wycombe. Many of whom I already knew from 10th grade at Alconbury. It was before my time there, but I am told the school for Alconbury grades 7 - 10 was located on RAF Molesworth before the facility was built on Alconbury.
@@texastull Thanks for expanding on this subject. I knew the Elementary School was situated at RAF Molesworth during my time but didn't realise that the Middle/Junior High School was also based there. I would think the facilities were pretty basic in comparison to a purpose built School? How times changed thereafter and for the better! WBHS opened in 1973 with students prior to that attending and boarding at Lakenheath I arrived at Woodbridge in 1975 and was lucky to see out my school years and graduate from said High School. Cheers for the information.
@@Chelveston78 I did 11th grade in the dorms at Lakenheath. The dorm students at that time were either from Alconbury or Weathersfield. 81 was the last year for Alconbury Dormies but I think Weathersfield students continued until that base was shut down. Rumors are that a new high school is being built at Lakenheath.
Hi James. The Bases you list are indeed 'Active Airfields' but there's still a USAF Mission & Presence at RAF's Alconbury/Molesworth, Croughton/Barford St. John, Feltwell, Menwith Hill and Welford in support of those Bases. All the best.
@@jameshardie9914 Thank you for your comment. You are correct. RAF's Lakenheath & Mildenhall are however, the only Bases with permanently assigned aircraft. RAF Fairford over the years has been used as a Standby/Reserve Base hosting frequent deployments and its role today, will be expanded with major investment having been made at the Base. The 501st Combat Support Wing will be headquartered here by Summer 2023. There are some interesting times ahead for Fairford. I've done another video titled USAF Bases in Britain - 2022 which will give you some basic information about the role of each Base in the UK today. There has been much change over the years in USAF (Europe). Cheers...
My late Mum served at Wethersfield in 1945 38 Group RAF for the Rhine Crossing. The men that took off from there wil be spinning in their graves it's now filled with illegal immigrants
Hi and thank you for your comment and for referencing RAF Burtonwood. This RAF/USAF installation was not included in this presentation as it didn't fit the criteria of the video - 'USAF Bases in Britain 1968 - Today' with its role as an Operational USAF Base having long since ended though I am aware that from 1967, the US Army used the Station as a Storage Facility until its closure in the early 1990's thus maintaining the United States connection. Another RAF Station consigned to the History Books but thankfully a Heritage Centre has been created so preserving the memory of this once important Base. I wish you well.
Stationed at RAF Chicksands 1984-1988. Special for me since my family settled in Jamestown from England. Really enjoyed it!!!!
Great video. My family was at Woodbridge/Bentwaters 1973-1977 & 1985-1989. It's sad to see the bases be torn down and so many memories gone. When I was stationed at Mildenhall from 1999-2005 I drove my wife and kids around to see my old stomping grounds. Many many memories.
7:10 The control tower shown at RAF Sculthorpe was sadly demolished in February of this year (2022) due to high levels of vandalism, but mainly people tresspassing and the structural integrity. Great video Mark, and may the USAF protect our skies for many more years to come!
Reminiscing , as I just lost my Dad at age 89 this month. I was born at Lakenheath while my Dad was stationed at Bentwaters in the late 60’s. Then went to K-2nd grades on Alconbury when he was stationed there. My sisters were teens and went to Molesworth JH. Such great memories …thank you for posting !!!
Thank you for your response. Sorry for your loss. I was a so called 'Military Brat' of the 1960/70's era. I agree that we all have great memories of those times but possibly didn't appreciate the experience at the time. The arrogance of youth I guess. Kind regards to you and yours...
@@Chelveston78 thank you so much. Agreed ….arrogance and lack of perspective of youth indeed….most of us loved being military brats in the 60/70’s, but didn’t really appreciate the special-ness of it until we got older. Our parents gave us great adventures with their choice to go military and overseas….plus I had a English mom, so we stayed over in the UK as long as we could. All the best to you…
Went to Molesworth JH which only went to 10th grade. Graduated there in 1963 and we then went to Lakenheath HS for the last two years.
I was assigned there in 1969 to 2163 Comm Sq. Had some great times there and in surrounding area. I met my wife who is from Harlow, Essex. I have returned to the area several times and still love it.
Thank you. Brought back some great memories.
Outstanding video,bought back so many good memories of working alongside USAF/BCE colleagues on many of those sites. Thanks for sharing👍
Loved it sir! Amazing and thank you for sharing that.
My first base was Lakenheath. I loved and hated every second of it but I got a wife out of my time there so it wasn't too bad. I'm seriously considering going back to England when I get out of the air force
There was no Alconbury HS in 1964 when we left. We went to Lakenheath HS by bus or lived in the dorms.
Hi Mark it is with sadness that in the past week the MOD has announced that RAF Wethersfield is to close completely and that the Volunteer Commemorative Museum on the base has been served with notice to quite the site.
Thank you John for this update. I'm sure many will be saddened by the news but it was inevitable given that the MoD Police HQ Operation has now been relocated elsewhere. What next for the Base? Housing, Industrial use or this so called 'Super Prison' that has been talked about? Surely Wethersfield Airfield Museum could be accommodated within any new development so preserving that historical association with the past? But who am I kidding. We only think about such things when it's too late to do anything. Hopefully, I wish the Museum and its volunteers a successful 'New Beginning' at another location but it should remain on site where it rightly belongs! Thanks again for this sad but expected update. All the best to you...
Inactivated? We would normally say deactivated or for a military establishment decommissioned. inactive would be used when referring to a person who doesn't move much.
Hi, thank you for your comment. I guess another example of the peculiarity and interpretation of the English language with two words essentially meaning the same thing? Many references are made to the word, 'Inactivation' in respect of US Air Force Bases that have been closed with their respective Wings/Commands being 'Reactivated' at another location. The History of the 20th Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford, England Publication (1994) is one example stating the 'Inactivation' of the 20th FW on 1 January 1994 at UH and its subsequent 'Reactivation' at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. Maybe such parlance is Military related speak??? The English language.... I wish you well.
@@Chelveston78 Yes English is different around the world even in parts of UK as constantly evolving. 16th/17th century English (US English based very loosely on this) very different to modern. No wonder that its said that it is the hardest language to learn for a non native speaker as written English has no accents or umlauts to show when a vowel or consonant changes its pronunciation/sound in a word or its a silent letter(s). No official standard form as French and others have. That's why many English words get 'adopted' into a language as they have no equivalent word for something new. The aviation and maritime industries have their own standard English for RT use to avoid any misunderstanding.
I was quartered at Woodbridge whilst serving with the British Army at Wattisham (96-99).
My quarter was directly behind the High School and I got to watch it rot and decay for 3 years. I can never understand why the British Army allowed the infrastructure at Woodbridge to rot whilst spending millions on new buildings at Wattisham.
Thank you for your response. I visited my old school at Woodbridge in 2003 (authorised visit). Only ten years after the USAF vacated the Base, I was shocked at how the site had been consumed by 'Mother Nature' but the building was in a sorry state. It had a flat roof which I guess didn't help with the water ingress into the building with the interior being wet/damp. The building, so I'm told, was also contaminated with asbestos? Sadly, it didn't appear worth saving but the school's new gymnasium (built in the 1980's) was a different matter and could have been adapted for use by personnel at Rock Barracks.
I don't know the cost of redeveloping the site but I believe that MoD Woodbridge - 'Rock Barracks' was earmarked for closure within the next few years but this decision has since been shelved??
@@Chelveston78 Yes I was surprised when the MOD announced the closure of Rock Barracks given how much they had spent on development, but as you say that decision looks to have been shelved now.
I wonder if Asbestos was the reason the MOD never took on the buildings at Woodbridge.
@@ron9516 I just think that this was a new project which had been budgeted/costed and the intention was not to retain/refurbish any existing structures. It is sad to see parts of the former Base today that have been trespassed and vandalised, notably the Control Tower and Weapons Storage Area - I assume this is still MoD property and can't understand why the lack of security? The steel doors on the Hardened Aircraft Shelters have been removed. Times have changed....
Alconbury did not have grades 11 and 12 at school until 1982. Those students were at Dorms on Lakenheath until that time.
Thank you for this information. I have asked this question in every video reference to RAF Alconbury I've posted - most recently a Revised/Updated RAF Alconbury & Molesworth 423rd ABG Group video. Surprised that there wasn't a purpose built High School during my era (1970's) given the Mission and size of the Base back in those days? Interesting that only the Junior and Senior Classes had to dorm at Lakenheath. All the best..
@@Chelveston78 I was in the first Alconbury graduating class in 1982. We also gained students from Chicksands who went to dorms at London Central at High Wycombe. Many of whom I already knew from 10th grade at Alconbury. It was before my time there, but I am told the school for Alconbury grades 7 - 10 was located on RAF Molesworth before the facility was built on Alconbury.
@@texastull Thanks for expanding on this subject. I knew the Elementary School was situated at RAF Molesworth during my time but didn't realise that the Middle/Junior High School was also based there. I would think the facilities were pretty basic in comparison to a purpose built School? How times changed thereafter and for the better! WBHS opened in 1973 with students prior to that attending and boarding at Lakenheath I arrived at Woodbridge in 1975 and was lucky to see out my school years and graduate from said High School. Cheers for the information.
@@Chelveston78 I did 11th grade in the dorms at Lakenheath. The dorm students at that time were either from Alconbury or Weathersfield. 81 was the last year for Alconbury Dormies but I think Weathersfield students continued until that base was shut down. Rumors are that a new high school is being built at Lakenheath.
@@texastull A new High School for Lakenheath? The existing School has been there for many years so an upgrade to a better facility seems logical...
I was at Barford St John from 73 thru 76
I think the only 3 active usaf bases that are still active in the uk today are Lakenheath, Mildenhall & Fairford
Hi James. The Bases you list are indeed 'Active Airfields' but there's still a USAF Mission & Presence at RAF's Alconbury/Molesworth, Croughton/Barford St. John, Feltwell, Menwith Hill and Welford in support of those Bases. All the best.
@@Chelveston78 I guess the three I listed are the only ones that still operate aircraft today
@@jameshardie9914 Thank you for your comment. You are correct. RAF's Lakenheath & Mildenhall are however, the only Bases with permanently assigned aircraft. RAF Fairford over the years has been used as a Standby/Reserve Base hosting frequent deployments and its role today, will be expanded with major investment having been made at the Base. The 501st Combat Support Wing will be headquartered here by Summer 2023. There are some interesting times ahead for Fairford. I've done another video titled USAF Bases in Britain - 2022 which will give you some basic information about the role of each Base in the UK today. There has been much change over the years in USAF (Europe). Cheers...
My late Mum served at Wethersfield in 1945 38 Group RAF for the Rhine Crossing. The men that took off from there wil be spinning in their graves it's now filled with illegal immigrants
You have missed off the biggest RAF Burtonwood over 59,000 personal and seven satalites
Hi and thank you for your comment and for referencing RAF Burtonwood. This RAF/USAF installation was not included in this presentation as it didn't fit the criteria of the video - 'USAF Bases in Britain 1968 - Today' with its role as an Operational USAF Base having long since ended though I am aware that from 1967, the US Army used the Station as a Storage Facility until its closure in the early 1990's thus maintaining the United States connection. Another RAF Station consigned to the History Books but thankfully a Heritage Centre has been created so preserving the memory of this once important Base. I wish you well.