RAF LAKENHEATH
AIR FORCE
United Kingdom
RAF LAKENHEATH
AIR FORCE
United Kingdom
RAF Lakenheath
The Statue of Liberty Wing
Base Essentials
RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force station in Suffolk, England, that hosts the U.S. Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing (the Liberty Wing). Per the Department of Defense, the 48th Fighter Wing mission is to "provide worldwide responsive combat airpower and support. As the USAFE's only F-35/F-15 fighter wing." The installation is located in the Forest Heath District of Suffolk County in East Anglia, England, "about 80 miles northeast of London and about 25 miles northeast of Cambridge." It consists of approximately 5,200 active-duty military members and 2,700 British and U.S. civilians.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The 48th Fighter Wing is described by the DoD as "the USAFE's only F-35/F-15 fighter wing."
Status
Active
Est.
—
Acres
—
Active Duty
4,316
Civilian
1,383
Population
—
Economic Impact
$364 million (FY2019)
RAF Lakenheath History
The 48th Fighter Wing carries the nickname "The Statue of Liberty Wing." Per the 48th Fighter Wing: "The wing was officially dubbed The Statue of Liberty Wing on July 4, 1954, by Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner, former United States Air Forces in Europe commander. The 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing was activated at Chaumont Air Base, July 10, 1952." The wing initially flew the F-84 Thunderjet and, in 1953, transitioned to the F-86 Sabre. A replica Statue of Liberty was erected at Chaumont AB in 1956; "Although the wing relocated to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, in January of 1960, the statue remains there today." Separately, the DoD notes the unit's earlier lineage: "The Army Air Corps activated the 48th Bombardment Group (Light) January 15, 1941," later redesignated from Bombardment Group (Light) to Bombardment Group (Dive) in September 1942, and to Fighter-Bomber Group in August 1943.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
48th Fighter Wing
48 FW
Wing
48 FW
Wing
48th Operations Group
48 OG
Group
48 OG
Group
48th Maintenance Group
48 MXG
Group
48 MXG
Group
48th Mission Support Group
48 MSG
Group
48 MSG
Group
48th Medical Group
48 MDG
Group
48 MDG
Group
492nd Fighter Squadron
492 FS
Squadron
492 FS
Squadron
493rd Fighter Squadron
493 FS
Squadron
493 FS
Squadron
494th Fighter Squadron
494 FS
Squadron
494 FS
Squadron
495th Fighter Squadron
495 FS
Squadron
495 FS
Squadron
48th Operations Support Squadron
48 OSS
Squadron
48 OSS
Squadron
Historic Timeline
1941
48th Bombardment Group (Light) activated
1945
Inactivated as the 48th Fighter Group
1952
48th Fighter-Bomber Wing activated in France
1954
Named the 'Statue of Liberty Wing'
1960
48th Tactical Fighter Wing arrives at RAF Lakenheath
1972
Transition to the F-4 Phantom II
1977
Transition to the F-111 Aardvark
1986
Operation El Dorado Canyon strikes on Libya
1990
Desert Shield / Desert Storm deployment
2021
First F-35A Lightning II arrives
—
View Key Moments
(10)
1941
48th Bombardment Group (Light) activated
The unit that became the 48th Fighter Wing was originally activated on 15 January 1941 as the 48th Bombardment Group (Light), providing pilot training as a close air support and air interdiction unit.
1945
Inactivated as the 48th Fighter Group
After participating in every major campaign on the Western Front during World War II, the unit was inactivated as the 48th Fighter Group on 7 November 1945.
1952
48th Fighter-Bomber Wing activated in France
With the onset of the Cold War, the unit was redesignated the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing in June 1952 and activated on 10 July 1952 at Chaumont Air Base, France, standing alert with F-84 Thunderjet and F-86 Sabre aircraft.
1954
Named the 'Statue of Liberty Wing'
In a ceremony on 4 July 1954, the 48th received the moniker Statue de la Liberte (Statue of Liberty Wing), making it the only U.S. Air Force unit with both a numerical designation and an official name.
1960
48th Tactical Fighter Wing arrives at RAF Lakenheath
On 15 January 1960, jet fighters of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying F-100 Super Sabres, landed at RAF Lakenheath for the first time after the wing relocated from France.
1972
Transition to the F-4 Phantom II
The wing transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in 1972.
1977
Transition to the F-111 Aardvark
The first F-111 arrived at Lakenheath on 1 March 1977 (the last F-4 departed 22 April 1977); the 495th Fighter Squadron was reactivated to support the new weapon system.
1986
Operation El Dorado Canyon strikes on Libya
On the evening of 14 April 1986, 24 F-111Fs of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing launched from Lakenheath and struck targets near Tripoli after midnight on 15 April in retaliation for terrorist attacks attributed to the Libyan government.
1990
Desert Shield / Desert Storm deployment
Following Iraq's 2 August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the wing deployed its F-111Fs to the Gulf for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, the war for the liberation of Kuwait.
2021
First F-35A Lightning II arrives
RAF Lakenheath received its first F-35A Lightning II aircraft on 15 December 2021, assigned to the reactivated 495th Fighter Squadron (the 'Valkyries'), making it the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to receive the fifth-generation fighter after being selected in 2015.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for RAF Lakenheath.
RAF Lakenheath Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for RAF Lakenheath.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on RAF Lakenheath.
Check Visitor Pass details below
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
RAF Lakenheath base tours are currently suspended. To arrange a visit, use the 'Schedule PA Support' tab on lakenheath.af.mil, verify your email with a one-time code, and submit a Tour Request selecting RAF Lakenheath and 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. The Public Affairs team reviews each request.
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to RAF Lakenheath.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Military and Family Support Center (Military and Family Readiness Center). Employment Readiness is located in Building 950, Bradford Road, Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Newcomer's Orientation is held at Eagle's Landing.
Hours
Military & Family Readiness Center: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; closed Saturday, Sunday, Down Days, and holidays (per the DoD MilitaryINSTALLATIONS installation record). Note: the base's own 48 FSS site lists Mon-Thu 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Fri 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., so confirm current hours before visiting.
In-Processing
Upon arrival at RAF Lakenheath, make contact with your Commander Support Staff and Unit Sponsor.
Newcomer's Orientation takes place each week on Tuesday-Wednesday at Eagle's Landing.
Personnel must complete the driver's course within 30 days of arrival to be eligible to drive in the UK, then go to Pass and ID, Bldg. 977, to obtain your 3rd AF Permit and customs forms.
The 24-hour arrival point for the base is Liberty Lodge, Bldg. 984: COMM +44-1638-52-6700 / DSN 314-226-6700. Note: reporting-to-housing timelines are stated differently across DoD pages: the installation overview says "Newly arrived members are required to report to the Housing Office within two days of their arrival," while the Housing page states "Members must report to housing within five duty days of arrival."
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for RAF Lakenheath.
On-Base Housing
48th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Management Office. Housing Office: Norwich Road, Bldg 429, RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, United Kingdom IP27 9PN; email 48CES.Housingassistance@us.af.mil.
Government housing is provided to eligible members ("Members with dependents authorized to reside with them" and "Military-married-to-military couples assigned to same or adjacent base and reside jointly"), applied for by submitting "an advance application for assignment, DD Form 1746, through the HMO at your losing installation." Off-base rental housing near the b…
2026 BAH Calculator
Dependency Status
With Dependents
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E-5
Location
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Data Sources
BAH rates: Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), effective January 1, 2026. Rates set annually by DoD based on rental survey data.
View Full BAH Rates
Verified from
installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/raf-lakenheath/…· September 9, 2026
Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near RAF Lakenheath.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Office (DSN 314-226-5078)
3
Elementary Schools
View schools
1
Middle Schools
View schools
1
High Schools
View schools
2
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
RAF Lakenheath sits in the Forest Heath District of Suffolk, in the East Anglia region of England, about 80 miles northeast of London and about 25 miles from Cambridge.
The base official site describes the surrounding area as very rural and comprised of many small towns and villages.
US families live in on-base military family housing (managed through the East Anglian Regional Housing Office, Building 429 at RAF Lakenheath) or rent off base in the surrounding towns and villages; the nearest towns are Lakenheath (around 4,691 residents) and Brandon (around 9,500 residents), with RAF Mildenhall and Mildenhall village approximately seven miles away and RAF Feltwell and Feltwell village approximately eight miles away.
Off-base rentals are typically detached, semi-detached, or terraced British homes.
Lakenheath
Rural
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Lakenheath is one of the two nearest towns to the base, with around 4,691 residents, and offers shopping, dining, and leisure opportunities.
Nearest town to the base; local shopping, dining, and leisure (per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS)
Brandon
Small Town
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Brandon is the other nearest town, with around 9,500 residents, and offers shopping, dining, and leisure opportunities.
One of the two nearest towns; larger local population with shopping, dining, and leisure (per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS)
Mildenhall (village)
Small Town
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, RAF Mildenhall and Mildenhall village are approximately seven miles from RAF Lakenheath.
Home to RAF Mildenhall; part of the tri-base community; approximately seven miles from Lakenheath (per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS)
Feltwell (village)
Rural
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, RAF Feltwell and the village of Feltwell are approximately eight miles from RAF Lakenheath.
Village associated with RAF Feltwell; part of the tri-base community; approximately eight miles from Lakenheath (per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS)
Thetford
Small Town
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Thetford is listed among the nearby towns and cities to RAF Lakenheath.
Named by MilitaryINSTALLATIONS as one of the nearby towns
Bury St Edmunds
Small Town
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Bury St. Edmunds is listed among the nearby towns and cities to RAF Lakenheath.
Named by MilitaryINSTALLATIONS as one of the nearby towns and cities
Cambridge
Urban
Per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Cambridge is the closest city to RAF Lakenheath, about 25 miles away. The overview notes cities are typically more expensive than the surrounding villages, so families choosing the city should expect slightly higher average costs.
Closest city (about 25 miles per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS); more amenities but higher cost of living
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at RAF Lakenheath.
Spouse Income Tax
Under the Status of Forces Agreement, command-sponsored dependents of employable age are eligible for employment in the…
Additional Tax Notes
View full details below.
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Pet Policies at RAF Lakenheath
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at RAF Lakenheath.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
—
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
Required Vaccinations
Pet Shipping Tips
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at RAF Lakenheath.
Commissary
1
RAF Lakenheath Commissary (Defense Commissary Agency)
Exchange
BX
Main Exchange (BX), Bldg 998: Mon-Sat 1000-1900, Sun 1000-1800.
Medical
2
RAF Lakenheath Hospital (48th Medical Group) — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Waitlist: Two Child Development Centers operate on base (CDC East and CDC West), serving ages 6 weeks to 5 years, Mon-Fri 6:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Families seeking permanent long-term care must place their child on a waitlist; per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, wait times vary between 0 and 12 months. Register via militarychildcare.com.
MWR & Recreation
3
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RAF Lakenheath.
01
Does BAH still apply at RAF Lakenheath, or is it different overseas?
Overseas, BAH is replaced by Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), which covers rent up to a rank-based cap plus utilities and move-in costs when you live off base, and adjusts as the dollar-to-pound exchange rate moves. RAF Lakenheath is in OHA locality UK035. You also receive a separate Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in locality GB352. Estimate your specific rates using the DoD's Overseas Station Planner, since caps and the COLA index change regularly.
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02
What schools will my children attend at RAF Lakenheath?
Children attend Lakenheath Community Schools, part of the on-base DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) system in the Europe West District, serving students through grade 12. Start with the School Liaison Office in Building 950 for registration and grade placement, at DSN 314-226-5078 or commercial 011-44-1638-52-5078, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Read answer
03
What are the UK rules for bringing my dog or cat?
Because the USA is an unlisted country, GOV.UK requires your pet be microchipped before its rabies vaccination, then vaccinated against rabies, with travel allowed only at least 21 full days after the first vaccination. Dogs also need a tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days before arrival. Pets travel on a Great Britain pet health certificate and must enter within 10 days of it being issued, via an approved route. Not following the rules can mean up to 4 months of quarantine.
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04
Can my spouse work in the UK while we are stationed here?
Yes. Per the DoD, command-sponsored dependents of employable age are eligible to work in the British economy under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). You will need a National Insurance number, British taxes are withheld, and dependents without a visa must obtain a visa exemption vignette before working off base. Employment Readiness at the Military and Family Support Center in Building 950 can help.
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05
How does medical care and TRICARE work at RAF Lakenheath?
On-base care is provided by the 48th Medical Group at the RAF Lakenheath Hospital, Building 932, with clinic hours Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Emergency Services open 24/7/365. Your coverage runs through the TRICARE Overseas Program, Eurasia-Africa region, with International SOS providing 24/7 support. The appointment and 24/7 Nurse Advice Line is DSN 314-226-8010 or commercial 01638528010.
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06
What do I need to do to drive in the UK after I arrive?
You must complete the base driver's course within 30 days of arrival to be eligible to drive in the UK, then go to Pass and ID in Building 977 to obtain your 3rd Air Force permit and customs forms. Remember you will be driving on the left, so many families take time to get comfortable before longer trips.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.