USAFE activates new wing at RAF Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heather Healy
  • 3rd Air Force Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS) --  U.S. Air Forces in Europe activated a new wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England , May 12 enhancing USAFE’s ability to provide support to all of the command’s geographically separated units in the United Kingdom.

Commanded by Col. Blake Lindner, the mission of the 501st Combat Support Wing will be to focus on units that, by their nature, are separated from the main operating bases of RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath.

“The activation of the 501st CSW will provide USAFE with a wing of functional experts dedicated to the support of U.S. Air Force’s geographically separated units in the United Kingdom,” said Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, USAFE commander.

Previously, GSUs in the UK, to include RAFs Fairford, Croughton, Alconbury, Molesworth and Menwith Hill, reported to the 38th Combat Support Wing located in Sembach, Germany.

“A new wing in the UK makes sense,” said General Foglesong. “It further streamlines and focuses the GSU support functions in England and places them under a UK-based wing commander.”

According to Colonel Lindner, the purpose of the 501st CSW will be to establish a wing with a group structure underneath it that right sizes the rank and management oversight of all the GSUs in the UK.

“This is a tremendous day for the 501st CSW,” said Colonel Lindner. “It’s both exciting and historic.”

The 501st CSW activation was not the only event to take place during the ceremony. The 420th Air Base Group was realigned, while the 422nd and 423rd Air Base Groups were activated, with their subordinate squadrons unfurling new guidons and passing them to new commanders.

This change will provide a more proximate advocate to address support-related issues and a structure to focus on solutions for regional matters that affect GSUs, said General Foglesong.

A small command staff of approximately 30 personnel will be located at RAF Mildenhall, but the general pointed out that there will be no change to the way GSUs operate day-to-day.

“It’s just a smarter way of conducting business and serving our customers better,” said General Foglesong.