Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP has today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Defence, Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP, that by 2023, 530 US Air Force (USAF) personnel and 470 dependents will relocate from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Fairford.

Sir Geoffrey, along with the Cotswold District Council, has been supportive of this decision and is pleased that close engagement between the local authorities and the Ministry of Defence will continue to ensure that this relocation is managed as smoothly as possible.

The USAF personnel will provide the support mission for the RC-135 RIVET JOINT aircraft, a dedicated electronic surveillance aircraft that can be employed in all theatres on strategic and tactical missions.

RAF Fairford is a huge asset to the Cotswolds and is currently the USAF’s only European airfield for heavy bombers. Furthermore, it plays host to the annual Royal International Air Tattoo every July – the world’s largest military air show.

Commenting on the announcement Sir Geoffrey said:

“I am delighted that the Ministry of Defence has made the excellent decision to relocate US personnel to RAF Fairford. The presence of over 1,200 personnel and dependents to the area will bring substantial financial benefits to the local economy and our local community.

“I look forward to welcoming all incoming personnel to the Cotswolds and I hope this represents a continuation of our long-lasting and deep military cooperation with our American allies.”