48th Fighter Wing Commander

12/03/2026

Team Liberty,

Recent changes by the UK Home Office have created travel challenges for some U.S. Forces members and their dependents arriving in the United Kingdom. In some cases, airline personnel have incorrectly told travelers they must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa before boarding. (U.S. military members assigned to the UK and their dependents remain exempt from ETA and visa requirements when entering the country.)

Travelers should present the following documents when checking in with airlines:

Military Members
• U.S. Military ID Card
• PCS orders assigning them to the UK

Dependents
• Passport
• Sponsor’s PCS orders assigning them to the UK

If airline personnel question eligibility to travel, ask them to contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub. Additional guidance and a printable ETA exemption card are available in the AF connect app.

17/08/2025

Team Liberty,

Tomorrow is the first day of school in the tri-base area. Please allow extra time for your commute and expect possible delays getting on and off base.

Drivers: follow posted speed limits, obey traffic signals, and stay alert for students walking or biking.

Parents: remind children to use crosswalks, wear helmets if biking, and walk their bikes across streets. Use designated drop-off and pick-up areas and follow school traffic patterns.

Thank you for helping keep our students safe. Have a great evening.

21/07/2025

23/06/2025

It was an honor to stand alongside our Airmen in support of this year’s Suffolk Show. It’s always a privilege to see our team engage with the local community—demonstrating not only what we do, but how we contribute to the defense of our shared skies.

20/06/2025

Team Liberty,

A recall has been issued for Maitre CoQ Turkey Minced Meat (350g) due to the presence of salmonella. Four sales of the recalled item occurred across the RAFM/RAFL commissaries prior to being fully removed from stores.

To identify if your product is affected, look at the USE BY DATE and BATCH # on the product packaging
USE BY DATE: 24/06/2025
BATCH #: 25162 / 045162956706

Please check your refrigerators and freezers for this product and bring it, or proof of purchase, back to the commissary for a refund.

This information concerns only this specific product in this specific batch. All other turkey minced meat products are not affected.

For additional information, please contact the RAF Lakenheath Commissary at : 01638-52-3515 or the RAF Mildenhall Commissary at: 01638-54-2475

10/03/2025

RAF Lakenheath proudly welcomes The Right Honorable Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, as we continue to strengthen the enduring partnership between the U.S. and the UK. This visit highlights our shared commitment to defense innovation, military readiness, regional security and reaffirms our allied forces’ dedication to staying ready, capable, and stronger together.

07/02/2025

Precision in motion

This picture was captured by local photographer Matt Valentine, who shared this incredible shot to showcase the unmatched power and presence of our jets.

05/02/2025

On 30th January, the Mayor of Haverhill unveiled the 134-year-old Haverhill Shield, a gift from Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1891. After 31 years in storage, this beautifully restored piece of history returned to permanent public display at the Old Town Hall.

Made from oak grown on the birthplace of poet John Greenleaf Whittier, the shield stands as a symbol of our enduring transatlantic connection.

24/01/2025

Team Liberty,

I wanted to take a moment to give an update on the water testing at youth facilities across the tri-base area.

Lead testing is required for any Air Force-owned youth facilities or Department of Defense Education Activity schools built prior to 2014 or after any significant change to water system. The standards outlined by the Air Force exceed both U.S. EPA standards as well as U.K. requirements, and Air Force standards use a more stringent process that is designed to protect young children. Testing for lead in our water system is not a new requirement and in line with EPA and DAF standards, our Bioenvironmental Engineering team tests our homes and sources of water across the Tri-Base for lead regularly and will continue to do so into the future.

We began testing youth facilities on base late last year to ensure compliance with these requirements. We've collected over 900 water samples from 10 childcare facilities and schools across RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell since October. Approximately half of the samples have been processed, with results for the remaining samples expected by February.

Recently, we identified elevated lead levels in two water fixtures at RAF Feltwell Elementary, although tests are still ongoing. Previously, we notified our tri-base community that CDC East and West, as well as Lakenheath Elementary School, showed elevated levels in some of their fixtures. These fixtures have been turned off, replaced, and re-tested to ensure compliance. We will continue to test and share information transparently to ensure the health and safety of our base community.

Key Findings:

To date, 61 faucets showed elevated lead levels, exceeding the new EPA standard of 10ug/L.
Health authorities consider the medical risks to be extremely low, with the greatest risk to infants, young children, and pregnant women.
Routine sampling indicates no issues with the main water systems or water sources.


Next Steps:

Parents with concerns can request blood-lead screening through the MHS Genesis Patient Portal. Parents with children who do not receive medical services through 48th Medical Group may choose to receive an initial screening at the 48th Medical Group but should consult with their local Primary Care Manager for follow-on care.
I, along with subject matter experts from across the 48th Fighter Wing, have been meeting with DODEA and CDC staff to ensure that proper actions are taken as we continue our testing.

14/01/2025

Team Liberty,

On January 7, 2025, water testing conducted by the Bioenvironmental Engineering team at Royal Air Force Lakenheath identified elevated readings of lead found in faucets at CDC East and CDC West. 123 faucets were tested and 27 were above a new limit introduced at the end of 2024 or above 10 ug/l. Only six of the 27 facets were found to be above the previous acceptable level of 20 ug/l. All faucets are isolated to prevent consumption until further testing is complete. Water and service lines feeding into the facility were tested and remain safe.

It is highly unlikely that any children will experience effects from drinking water at the CDCs. Primary risks to health occur through long-term exposure. However, we encourage any parents who have concerns to use the MHS Genesis Patient Portal and message their child’s pediatrician to request blood-lead screening. Our medics are standing by to assist and use of the Patient Portal will greatly speed up scheduling.

Additional testing on all identified faucets was accomplished this past weekend of 10-11 January 2025 to identify the root causes and a corrective plan. Once corrective measures are complete, Bioenvironmental Engineers will re-test the system to confirm compliance within regulatory standards before returning to service.

Lead testing is required for any Air Force-owned youth facilities or Department of Defense Education Activity schools built prior to 2014. This testing was performed as part of Bioenvironmental Engineering’s plan to assess all youth facilities the Tri-base area to ensure community-wide compliance and safety.

08/01/2025

Starting today, January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens travelling to the UK will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Please review this infographic to understand how this policy change directly affects you. Remember to always stay informed and follow guidance from the U.S. Embassy and official gov.uk website.