Stories of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall
Investigating 70 years of airbase and community
RAF Lakenheath is the largest US Air Force base in Europe. Originally built by the RAF as part of Britain’s defences during the Second World War, it has hosted the USAF since 1948. RAF Mildenhall was first established in 1930, and has been home to the USAF since 1950, and has been ‘The Gateway to the United Kingdom’ for most US military personnel and their dependents arriving or leaving the UK since 1958.
This community project is investigating how these airbases and their surrounding communities have co-existed alongside each other for the last 70 years.
If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with us on [email protected]
Volunteers at Lakenheath Village Fete 2019
What the project has achieved so far
Volunteers have undertaken archival research, and these stories have been shared with the schools connected with RAF Lakenheath. We have worked closely throughout with the Lakenheath Heritage Group.
RAF Lakenheath is not only home to American military personnel, but also to their families. There are five schools that serve the base, with over 2,500 children attending them. We have worked closely with these schools, who have taken the archive material researched by our volunteers as inspiration to produce displays, videos, and drama. This partnership work was recognised with an Exemplary Community Partnership award from the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards, which recognise successful partnerships which benefit military-connected children.
A story from St Mary’s
Advice for new arrivals
Month of the Military Child
‘I have three homes’
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Sharing Suffolk Stories
Stories of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall is a Sharing Suffolk Stories project, part of a countywide programme of activities to run alongside the development of ‘The Hold’, which will engage more people than ever before in Suffolk’s archival heritage.