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[Expansion of USAF Bases]

1978

Cat no. 216612

[Expansion of USAF Bases]

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A BBC Look East report on the expansion of USAF operations on East Anglian bases.

United States Air Force aircraft are shown in operation across East Anglia. An F-111 Aardvark taxis on the runway at RAF Lakenheath, and is shown in flight performing maneuvers and displaying its variable-sweep wings. Elsewhere, an A-10 Thunderbolt II undertakes Close Air Support training, firing its powerful rotary cannons at an armoured truck on a bombing range. Meanwhile, at RAF Mildenhall, airlift support aircraft sit on the runway awaiting instructions. Plans to expand the USAF presence in East Anglia are discussed by local MP for West Suffolk, Eldon Griffiths, who speaks about the recent Soviet build-up and the United Kingdom's reliance on the U.S. Air Force to help defend the country. Regarding the effect of USAF buildup for East Anglia, he suggests that despite an increase in noise and aircraft movement, it would help strengthen British defences, increase employment in the region and result in greater rate revenues. Although claiming a preference for disarmament, Griffiths suggests that as long as the Soviet Union threatens the Western world, we must look to our defences. Returning to the subject of aircraft noise, Griffiths claims that East Anglians don't complain, for the most part, because that noise is the 'sound of freedom'.

Keywords

Aircraft; Air Force; Cold War; Defence; War

Other Places

Lakenheath, Suffolk; Mildenhall, Suffolk

  • Production company : BBC East

Manifestations

[Expansion of USAF Bases]

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