US plan to spend $500m on RAF base concerns MP

An MP has asked the UK government for clarity over "$500m (£373m) worth of expansion and military infrastructure" into RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire by the US government.

Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for the South Cotswolds, said the investment implies the US military "expects major operations from Fairford going on for quite some time to come".

The United States was authorised to use the base for defensive strikes on Iran by the UK government.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: "Infrastructure investment at RAF Fairford does not necessarily indicate a change in the long-term role of the base or future operational activity."

The US Air Force has been contacted for comment.

RAF Fairford, which is in the Cotswold countryside, has a long runway which is suitable for use by heavy bomber aircraft.

The United States Air Force (USAF) 501st Combat Support Wing manages and supports operations and the site is predominantly used by USAF heavy bombers like the B-1B Lancer, the B-2A Spirit and the B-52H Stratofortress.

Since 1 March, US heavy bombers have been taking off from RAF Fairford "for defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities," according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

In June, the US government announced about "$500m dollars worth of expansion and military infrastructure" for the site.

The plans for RAF Fairford include a large new hangar complex, the impact of which - Savage said - "is probably going to be considerable".

"I suppose part of the concern is, if the US is putting this massive new investment into the base, is this the new normal?

"Because by the time the money has been spent and the infrastructure has been built, that would seem to imply that they expect these major operations from Fairford going on for quite some time to come.

"If they thought this conflict was going to be over any day soon then they wouldn't even be thinking about pouring $500m dollars into it.

"There's no transparency, no accountability around this, we don't know what the criteria are and so really I want to know what are the conversations that the UK government is having with the US government about what the future holds", the MP said.

A spokesperson for the MoD said: "Investment decisions relating to US Visiting Forces infrastructure are taken by the United States Government in support of its defence requirements.

"As with many Defence sites, infrastructure is periodically upgraded and renewed to ensure facilities remain safe, effective and fit for purpose."

Savage said that while residents had moved to the area in the knowledge they would live near an air base, they had "really had enough now" of the "noise and inconvenience" since the outbreak of the Iran war.

"I've seen and heard and felt the planes taking off, the ground shakes, and of course we've had a lot of hot weather recently where people have wanted to have bedroom windows open at night so it's a combination of the house shaking, the noise but also the stench from the fumes of the aircraft fuel as these planes take off."

Savage said there was usually "a very good and healthy relationship with residents and the American personnel, many of whom live off base in local communities and their kids go to local schools".

However, she added that "the air tattoo has been cancelled this year and that meant a really big economic hit for the local restaurants, hotels, pubs that would normally benefit hugely from that".

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