Royal Air Force Station (RAF) Lakenheath, England

APO, AE 09461 | Base Operator: DSN (314) 226-1110, 011-44-163852-3000

RAF Lakenheath: Overview

Royal Air Force Station (RAF) Lakenheath is owned and operated by the British government, but USAF units are stationed at this base. The wing that serves as the main support entity of the American forces at RAF Lakenheath is the 48th Fighter Wing, which falls under the command of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). There are a number of support units in this wing that support its primary mission, which is to support U.S. and allied forces in its theatre of operations. The airframes employed to accomplish this mission include the F-15C, F-15D, and F-15E.

Lakenheath was established as a military airfield during World War I, but the property was used primarily as a bombing range for aircraft operating out of other airfields. During the Battle of Britain, Lakenheath was outfitted with convincing airfield infrastructure to draw the attention of the Luftwaffe away from RAF Mildenhall. Once the Luftwaffe and German forces scrapped its plan to invade Great Britain, the base became the home of both English and American bombing squadrons. In addition, RAF Lakenheath was used as a forward installation of the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War.

RAF Lakenheath: Education

You can earn your degree and enjoy being stationed overseas at RAF Lakenheath by attending an online school. Online schools allow you to take classes according to your schedule. And, if you go on TDY or are transferred, you don't have to put school on hold. You may want to request information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

RAF Lakenheath: Location

RAF Lakenheath is located in Suffolk, England, which is a county in East Anglia. It is near the eastern shore of the North Sea. Some of the other cities in the area include Bury Saint Edmunds, UK, Cambridge, UK, Huntingdon, UK, Ipswich, UK, Norwich, UK, Holbeach, UK, Braintree, UK, Peterborough, UK, Eaton Socon, UK, Colchester, UK, Spalding, UK, Witham, UK, Letchworth, UK, Harlow, UK, and Boston, UK.

RAF Lakenheath: Interesting Facts

During World War II, the Eighth Air Force (U.S.) conducted bombing missions from Lakenheath utilizing the B-24 Liberator. The war ended prior to the arrival of B-29 Superfortresses.
The 48th Fighter Wing is unique in the sense that no other wing in the Air Forces has both a title and number affixed to it. This wing is referred to as the Statue of Liberty Wing, or Liberty Wing for short.
The 56th Rescue Squadron is stationed at RAF Lakenheath as well. The purpose of this squadron's presence is to provide search and rescue missions if the need arises.