F-15s assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, will temporarily operate out of nearby RAF Mildenhall while runway repairs are completed at Lakenheath. The base’s HH-60G Pave Hawks will continue to fly missions from Lakenheath and will not relocate, according to a release. “We have taken proactive steps here to mitigate the noise footprint on surrounding communities,” said Sqd. Ldr. Richard Fryer, Mildenhall station commander. He added, “A minimal number of missions will be flown to reduce noise, but still maintain essential operations and training. Additionally, the aircraft’s flight paths have been adjusted to avoid unnecessary noise above and around Ely Cathedral.” Lakenheath’s runway is expected to be closed until mid July.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.