
RAF MILDENHALL
AIR FORCE
United Kingdom
RAF MILDENHALL
AIR FORCE
United Kingdom
RAF Mildenhall
The 100th Air Refueling Wing conducts air refueling and combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa, and is the host wing at RAF Mildenhall.
Base Essentials
RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force station in Suffolk, England, hosting United States Air Force operations. Its host unit is the 100th Air Refueling Wing, described as the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in the European theater. The base is part of the Tri-Base Area with RAF Lakenheath (approximately six miles away) and RAF Feltwell (approximately 11 miles away), and hosts units from multiple major commands (Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Mobility Command, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe). The installation refers to itself as Team Mildenhall. The base has approximately 3,000 active-duty military members and approximately 700 civilians.

Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). The major-units listing for RAF Mildenhall shows the 100th Air Refueling Wing and its subordinate squadrons all under USAFE command. Per the In-Depth Overview, the base also hosts units from Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Mobility Command.
Status
Active
Est.
October 16, 1934
Acres
1,162
Active Duty
4,052
Civilian
998
Population
—
Economic Impact
$213 million (FY2019)
RAF Mildenhall History
The British government purchased land in 1929 and completed the first buildings in 1931. RAF Mildenhall opened on October 16, 1934, as one of the RAF's largest bomber stations. The 100th Air Refueling Wing was activated at RAF Mildenhall on February 1, 1992, and is described as the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in the European theater.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
100th Air Refueling Wing
100 ARW
Wing
100 ARW
Wing
100th Operations Group
100 OG
Group
100 OG
Group
100th Maintenance Group
100 MXG
Group
100 MXG
Group
100th Mission Support Group
100 MSG
Group
100 MSG
Group
351st Air Refueling Squadron
351 ARS
Squadron
351 ARS
Squadron
352nd Special Operations Wing
352 SOW
Wing
352 SOW
Wing
Historic Timeline
1942
100th Bombardment Group established and activated
1943
The Bloody Hundredth arrives in England and flies its first combat mission
1943
Regensburg raid earns first Distinguished Unit Citation
1945
Last combat mission and post-war inactivation
1947
Reactivated as a Reserve unit
1956
Reactivated as the 100th Bombardment Wing with B-47 jets
1966
Redesignated 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
1976
Redesignated 100th Air Refueling Wing at Beale AFB
1990
Briefly reactivated as the 100th Air Division
1992
100th Air Refueling Wing established at RAF Mildenhall
1998
European Tanker Task Force mission ends; wing reaches full KC-135 complement
—
View Key Moments
(11)
1942
100th Bombardment Group established and activated
The 100th Bombardment Group, Heavy was established Jan. 28, 1942 and activated June 1, 1942, when the U.S. Army Air Force stood it up as a paper unit with four bomber squadrons (349th, 350th, 351st and 418th).
1943
The Bloody Hundredth arrives in England and flies its first combat mission
The group moved to Thorpe Abbotts, England, fully in place by June 9, 1943. On June 25, 1943, the 100th BG flew its first combat mission against submarine yards at Bremen, Germany, beginning the Bloody Hundredth legacy.
1943
Regensburg raid earns first Distinguished Unit Citation
On Aug. 17, 1943, the 100th BG attacked the German aircraft factory at Regensburg, earning its first Distinguished Unit Citation but losing nine crews.
1945
Last combat mission and post-war inactivation
The 100th BG flew its last combat mission April 20, 1945. Over its time at Thorpe Abbotts the group flew 306 missions and 8,630 sorties. It returned to the U.S. and inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Dec. 21, 1945.
1947
Reactivated as a Reserve unit
The unit reactivated as a reserve unit at Miami Army Air Field on May 29, 1947, serving until it inactivated June 27, 1949.
1956
Reactivated as the 100th Bombardment Wing with B-47 jets
The independent U.S. Air Force reactivated the unit Jan. 1, 1956 as the 100th Bombardment Wing, Medium at Portsmouth Air Force Base, New Hampshire, and flew the strategic bombardment and air refueling mission with B-47 Stratojets and KC-97s.
1966
Redesignated 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
On June 25, 1966, the wing was redesignated the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and moved to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, flying U-2 and drone reconnaissance, much of it over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, between 1966 and 1976.
1976
Redesignated 100th Air Refueling Wing at Beale AFB
On Sept. 30, 1976, the wing was redesignated the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Heavy and moved to Beale Air Force Base, California, providing KC-135Q air refueling support to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing until it inactivated March 15, 1983.
1990
Briefly reactivated as the 100th Air Division
The unit reactivated as the 100th Air Division at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 1, 1990, an intermediate command echelon of Strategic Air Command, before inactivating in 1991.
1992
100th Air Refueling Wing established at RAF Mildenhall
On Feb. 1, 1992, the unit returned to England after 47 years as the 100th Air Refueling Wing, making its home at RAF Mildenhall near its wartime home at Thorpe Abbotts. It took on host-wing duties and the European Tanker Task Force mission, received its first permanent KC-135 in May 1992, and reached nine tankers by September 1992.
1998
European Tanker Task Force mission ends; wing reaches full KC-135 complement
The European Tanker Task Force mission ended Nov. 28, 1998, and the 100th ARW's assigned KC-135R/Ts increased to its full complement of 15 tankers.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for RAF Mildenhall.
RAF Mildenhall Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for RAF Mildenhall.
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 Mildenhall.
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
Visitors not entered into the Installation Access Control System (IACS) are turned away or directed to the visitor control center for a temporary pass if needed. Everyone needing base access must have their ID scanned into IACS. Registration is handled at the pass and registration office in Building 438 or a temporary site at the Bob Hope Center.
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to RAF Mildenhall.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC), Building 436/460, Kansas Road, RAF Mildenhall
Hours
Military and Family Readiness Center: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed (per MilitaryINSTALLATIONS).
In-Processing
On the first duty day (usually the day after arrival, or within 24 hours), report to your unit's Commander's Support Staff to begin in-processing. Mandatory two-day Team Mildenhall Newcomers' Orientations are held Tuesdays and Thursdays and must be attended within one week of arrival (in any order).
The Tuesday session covers in-processing with the 48th Medical Group, TRICARE, Finance, the Military Housing Office, and the Unaccompanied Housing Office; the Thursday session includes drivers' training and the theory test (attend within 14 days of arrival if planning to drive in the UK).
The Military and Family Readiness Center is at Building 436/460, Kansas Road (hours Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wed 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat and Sun closed).
All dependents must be command-sponsored and have a no-fee passport in-hand prior to departing the previous location; command-sponsorship processing takes approximately 120 days.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
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Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for RAF Mildenhall.
On-Base Housing
Military Housing Office, RAF Lakenheath, Building 429 (next to Gate 2), serving the Tri-Base Area.
There are 1,006 Military Family Housing (MFH) units serving the Tri-Base Area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell), available to active-duty military accompanied by command-sponsored dependents. The Military Housing Office is on RAF Lakenheath, Building 429, next to Gate 2. Register interest via the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) at homes.mil (y…
2026 BAH Calculator
Dependency Status
With Dependents
$XX,XXX per year
E-5
Location
Select a grade and location above
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-mildenhall/…· September 9, 2026
Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near RAF Mildenhall.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Office (RAF Lakenheath/Mildenhall)
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 Mildenhall sits in the county of Suffolk, in the East Anglia region of the United Kingdom, described by MilitaryINSTALLATIONS as "a rural farming area" and part of a Tri-Base area with RAF Lakenheath (approximately six miles away) and RAF Feltwell (approximately 11 miles away). Most incoming families live in off-base community (private rental) housing; the RAF Mildenhall/RAF Lakenheath housing offices advise searching for community housing within the local vicinity of roughly 20 miles or a 60-minute commute. Nearby towns and cities named by MilitaryINSTALLATIONS include Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Brandon, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds, Thetford, Ely, Ipswich and Cambridge. Specific per-town commute times and neighborhood characteristics are not published on the primary official sources.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at RAF Mildenhall.
Spouse Income Tax
Under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, a working spouse must be a command-sponsored family member with an exemption…
Additional Tax Notes
View full details below.
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Pet Policies at RAF Mildenhall
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at RAF Mildenhall.
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 Mildenhall.
Commissary
1
RAF Mildenhall Commissary (Defense Commissary Agency)
Exchange
BX
Medical
1
RAF Lakenheath Dental Clinic — Dental Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Waitlist: No waitlist status is stated on the primary source. Families must register through MilitaryChildCare.com for full-time care; per the page, hourly care may be provided on a space-available basis. CDC is in Building 288 and serves children six weeks to five years.
MWR & Recreation
2
Fitness Center
Outdoor Rec
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RAF Mildenhall.
01
Where do I report when I first arrive at RAF Mildenhall?
On your first duty day (usually the day after arrival, or within 24 hours), report to your unit's Commander's Support Staff to begin in-processing. You must also attend the two-day Team Mildenhall Newcomers' Orientation, held Tuesdays and Thursdays, within one week of arrival. The Tuesday session covers in-processing with the 48th Medical Group, TRICARE, Finance, the Military Housing Office, and the Unaccompanied Housing Office; the Thursday session includes drivers' training and the theory test. The Military and Family Readiness Center is at Building 436/460 on Kansas Road.
Read answer
02
Are the schools for RAF Mildenhall on base?
No. There are no DoDEA schools located on RAF Mildenhall. The Department of Defense operates five DoDEA Europe schools serving RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, and RAF Feltwell families, located on RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell: Feltwell Elementary School (Kindergarten through Grade 5), Liberty Intermediate School (Grades 4-5), Lakenheath Elementary School (PSCD, Sure Start, K-5), Lakenheath Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Lakenheath High School (Grades 9-12). The School Liaison Office can be reached at Commercial +44 (0)1638 52 5077/5078 or DSN 314-226-5077/5078.
Read answer
03
Do I need to bring my pet through quarantine to enter the UK?
Pets that follow the rules do not go into quarantine. To bring a dog or cat into Great Britain, the pet must be microchipped before it receives its rabies vaccination, and you must wait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last of the first course) before travelling. Dogs must be treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days before arriving in Great Britain, and you need a pet travel document from your vet. Pets that do not follow these rules may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if travelling by sea.
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04
Where is the housing office and how does the waitlist work?
The Military Housing Office is on RAF Lakenheath in Building 429, next to Gate 2, and serves the Tri-Base Area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell). There are 1,006 Military Family Housing units for the Tri-Base Area, available to active-duty members accompanied by command-sponsored dependents. Register interest through the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) at homes.mil, but note you are not added to the waitlist until you arrive on station. All off-base rentals must be inspected and approved by the Military Housing Office before you sign a lease.
Read answer
05
Can my spouse work in the UK?
Yes. To work off base, a spouse must have a vignette in their U.S. no-fee passport and a national insurance number, which can be applied for after arrival; this allows work in the UK without additional work permits. Spouses seeking on-base positions must be command sponsored, and on-base categories include federal, Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF), contracts, AAFES, and Local National Direct Hire roles. The DoD notes RAF Mildenhall is a challenging environment for employment, with waits of six months or more possible.
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06
Where do my family and I get medical care?
Care is provided by the 48th Medical Group at RAF Lakenheath (Building 932, Boston Drive), which serves active-duty members, retirees, family members, and U.S. civilians in the area. Appointments: Commercial +44 1638 52 8010 or +44 1638 54 2143; DSN 314-226-8010 or 314-238-2143. A dental clinic is located at RAF Lakenheath, where command-sponsored dependents are seen on a space-available basis. You are in the TRICARE Overseas Program, Eurasia-Africa region.
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Question
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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.