This document is currently under revision. Under the assumption that some information is better than none at all, we have posted this document in the hope it will provide some useful information to you. Please be patient as we make this document better for you.
NOTE: This document is approximately 60 pages long (and growing). If you just hit print-it will print the ENTIRE document. If you do not want the ENTIRE document, make a selection and print the selection only!
100th Operations Group Spouses Newcomers' GuideRAF Mildenhall
For SITES information on any base click here!
About the United KingdomThe United Kingdom is made up of more than a thousand islands lying off the northwest coast of mainland Europe. The largest islands in the group are Great Britain (which consists of England, Scotland and Wales) and Ireland (which consists of Northern Ireland, or Ulster, and the Republic of Ireland, or Eire).
Great BritainGreat Britain lies farther north than most Americans realize. In fact, it lies more or less along the same latitude as Manitoba, Canada. From the southern coast of Britain to the extreme north is a distance of just under 600 miles, while the widest part is just under 300 miles. No part of Britain is more than 100 miles from the sea. There is a rich variety of scenery and surprising contrasts are found within relatively short distances.
Britain’s population density is one of the highest in the world — some 58 million people in a land area hardly larger than Minnesota — yet, there are large areas of unspoiled natural beauty. England is about the size of Alabama, with a population of about 47 million. It’s the largest of the countries forming the United Kingdom. London, the capital, is one of the largest cities in the world. The widely differing scenery of England includes lakelands, woodlands, moors, agricultural lands and large industrial towns, mainly in the North and Midlands.
Wales, with about 8,000 square miles of territory and a population of about 2.8 million, is about the size of New Jersey. Its climate is comparable to southern New England. While its coal mining areas are grim and bleak, many parts of central and northern Wales have great scenic beauty.
Scotland, with a population of just more than 5 million, occupies the northern part of Britain, an area roughly the size of South Carolina. The country is famous for its glens and lochs in the Highlands. Its climate is rarely very warm and northern Scotland is likely to be as cool as Maine.
With a population of about 1.5 million, Northern Ireland is characterized by soft, green terrain, steep wooded valleys, waterfalls and swift mountain streams.
Britain was settled by waves of migration from Europe — pre-Celts, Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Norsemen. The people who now inhabit Britain are descended mainly from the people who inhabited the area nine centuries ago. These were the Norsemen or Scandinavian Vikings who, after settling in northern France, intermarrying with the French and adopting their language and customs, crossed to England and conquered it in 1066.
Living on an island has contributed greatly to the characteristics of people here. They’re anything but isolationists in business and politics, but are conservative in their acceptance of outside influences that may alter the values that they’ve grown up with. Britain is considered a part of Europe, but the average Briton is British first and European second, if at all. Britons are proud of their history, traditions, and independence. They guard their privacy carefully and are equally careful not to invade the privacy of others. This reserve is often taken for unfriendliness but if you’re friendly and courteous, you’ll find the British people to be equally so.
East Anglia is the name given to the four counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire which together form the most easterly portion of central England. The term East Anglia is used to refer to this group of counties which have a distinctive history and character. RAF Mildenhall is in Suffolk but very close to county boundaries of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
During the Middle Ages, East Anglia was one of the wealthiest and most populous areas of England. Sheep-raising, wool and manufactured clothes were the basis of a very profitable trade with Europe, and the remaining churches, castles and abbey ruins attest to the wealth that was accumulated.
But in the 1500s the wool trade declined and, at the same time, England was turning her attention away from Europe. As the nation concentrated on colonizing America and other places around the world, East Anglia remained mostly rural.
Instead of jam-packed, high-rise cities, East Anglia boasts quiet towns and villages, farms and forests and many historical points of interest.
Close enough to London (about 80 miles from the base) to make big-city life available when it’s wanted, this area remains unblighted by "progress." But change has come here, too. Two-lane roads are gradually being improved and freeway bypasses are built around major towns. The Common Market has stimulated trade with the continent, and East Anglia now finds itself one of the fastest growing regions in the country.
RAF Mildenhall lies in the northwest corner of Suffolk. To the northeast is the area of rough scrubland and heath known as Breckland — much of which is now covered by the Thetford Forest, a dense pine wood. To the west lie the rich, flat farmlands known as Fens. Originally marsh and wetlands, the Fens were drained and have been cultivated during the past 300 years. Long, straight roads and country fields divided by canals, rather than fences, are very typical in this part of the country. South and west are low, rolling hills with farms growing wheat, barley, and sugar beets, and raising cattle and horses around Newmarket. To the east the land slopes gently away some 40 miles toward the North Sea, with meandering rivers, marshes and many harbors on the coast.
Right next door are a number of small towns and villages grouped north and south of the base.
Surrounding Communities
Located about two miles east of the base, the town of Mildenhall (population 10,100) is the administrative center for the Forest Heath District. The market place, main street and ancient church are the center of the old town. But a shopping precinct, new housing estates, community center, library and swimming pool, and an adult education and sports center at the town’s Upper School have recently been added.
Lakenheath
Lakenheath (population 9,250) lies only a few miles from the base. It has a smaller shopping area than Mildenhall, with some garden shops and a few restaurants.
Brandon
The market town of Brandon (population 6,600) is about five miles northeast of the base on the south bank of the Little Ouse river. The bridge over the river has long been a major crossing point and roads converge on it from Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Swaffham and King’s Lynn. The town has a lively shopping center.
Thetford
About 12 miles northeast of the base, Thetford (population 19,500) has had the most extensive, recent development of all the local towns. The rivers Thet and Little Ouse meet here and flow through the modern shopping area. The town Guildhall and Carnegie Rooms near the marketplace provide good social and entertainment facilities. A well-equipped sports complex operates on the north side of town.
Newmarket
Newmarket (population 16,100), 10 miles south of the base, is a renowned center for horse racing, breeding, training and sales. It has much to offer the local resident. The Rookery Shopping Precinct, just off High Street, includes shops, offices, a group medical practice, county library and public house. In addition, a market is held in the main square two days a week.
Ely
Ely (population 9,200), built on a former island, was the stronghold of a Saxon guerrilla leader named Hereward the Wake, who fought against the Norman Conquest. Ely, pronounced "ee-lee" (Anglo-Saxon for eel island), is about 15 miles west of RAF Mildenhall. This religious community was founded by St. Ethelreda in 673, and in 1973 it celebrated its 13th centennial. The cathedral is considered to be the most beautiful in the country.
Click here for more information from spouses that live here!
Bury St. Edmunds
Bury St. Edmunds (population 31,200), about 13 miles southeast of the base, is the site of ruins of a high abbey built to house a shrine to the sainted King Edmund. In the Middle Ages, the abbey controlled much of the land and wealth in West Suffolk, but it was almost totally destroyed by King Henry VIII in 1538 when many religious centers in England were pillaged for their riches. Today, Bury is a good place to shop. It has a marketplace, and the old section of town is full of tiny, old shops right out of Charles Dickens’ time.
Cambridge
Probably the best-known city in the area, Cambridge (population 91,000) is about 25 miles southwest of the base. Cambridge University has 32 colleges, the earliest founded in 1284. King’s College is the number one site, but other colleges and a Crusader’s round church from the 1100s are well worth viewing, as are the Fitzwilliam Museum, theaters, restaurants and shopping — Cambridge has them all. The Cambridge American Military Cemetery and Memorial, dedicated to Americans who lost their lives in World War II, is in nearby Madingley.
Norwich
With a population of 122,000, Norwich became Norfolk’s capital in place of Thetford after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Norwich, approximately 40 miles north of the base, has a cathedral with a towering spire and a Norman-era castle that now serves as a museum. The town has the most extensive and varied shopping area in the region with large department stores and smaller specialty shops.
Translations
The language you’ll hear in the United Kingdom will sound different from the "American English" you grew up with. Like driving in Great Britain, it’ll take a few weeks to get used to. Some common words are very different, and many are spelled slightly different. For example, theater becomes theatre, color becomes colour, defense is spelled defence, and organize is written organise.
Here’s how to call Mildenhall from the States:
One of the first things people want to do after arriving overseas is call family or friends to let them know they’ve arrived safely. To call the States once you’re in England, dial 001 then the area code and telephone number of the person you want to speak to.
You’ll also want to know how to call your duty section.
Since Oct. 16, 1934, when it officially opened, RAF Mildenhall has been at the center of aviation for the air forces of the United Kingdom and the United States. At the time, RAF Mildenhall was one of the largest bases under the newly-formed British Bomber Command. Four days after the opening, the Royal Aero Club used the airfield to stage the MacRoberts Mildenhall to Melbourne, Australia, Air Race. The day before, the station was visited by King George V, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales. Following the race, military aircraft started arriving at RAF Mildenhall and, on Nov. 15, 1934, the Royal Air Force’s 99B Squadron, equipped with Heyford Night Bombers, arrived. That unit was reequipped with Wellington bombers in 1938. King George V, as Chief of the Royal Air Force, visited RAF Mildenhall July 6, 1935, to review 38 squadrons comprising 356 aircraft. The review was held in honor of the Royal Silver Jubilee, and coincided with the King and Queen’s 42nd wedding anniversary. A memorial tablet marking the event was unveiled in 1938 and stands today outside the 100th Air Refueling Wing Headquarters Building.
During World War II, RAF Mildenhall was one of the primary British bomber bases. In more than 8,000 sorties, nearly 28,000 tons of bombs were dropped over Germany by RAF Mildenhall bombers. After hostilities ended, RAF Mildenhall squadrons flew prisoner of war repatriation missions, food and supply drops, and transported British forces on leave from the continent. The base was reduced to "caretaker" status, but became active again in June 1948 when the Berlin Blockade began.
In 1966, the U.S. European Command Post function moved to RAF Mildenhall and the 513th Troop Carrier Wing (later renamed the 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing) arrived from its former base in France. The command post was inactivated in August 1991 and the 513th was inactivated Jan. 31, 1992.
In June 1972, 3rd Air Force moved from its previous station at South Ruislip to Mildenhall.
The 100th Air Refueling Wing was activated Feb. 1, 1992, to assume duties of the 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing (USAFE) and the 306th Strategic Wing (SAC), and serve as the European Tanker Task Force headquarters.
In May 1993, as part of the drawdown of forces in Europe, officials announced RAF Alconbury would be returned to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. As part of this return, the 352nd Special Operations Group and its associated aircraft, the MH-130E, HC-130P/N and MH-53J, transferred to RAF Mildenhall in February 1994.
Members of today’s 100th Air Refueling Wing can trace their origins back to the 100th Bomb Group flying B-17 Flying Fortresses as part of the U.S. Army Air Force’s 8th Air Force during World War II.
The 100th ARW has had assignments at such bases as Beale AFB, Calif., and Whiteman AFB, Mo. The unit was assigned to the United Kingdom in March 1992. It assumed responsibility for the host unit at Mildenhall and for all tanker support in the European theater, including KC-135 aircraft at Incirlik AB, Turkey, and Istres Air Base, France.
This was the second time the 100th had associations with RAF Mildenhall. Throughout its existence as a refueling wing from Beale AFB, the KC-135Q aircraft provided fuel for the two SR-71s of Detachment 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing which flew from Mildenhall. During this period, six tankers bearing the emblem of the 100th ARW were in Europe to refuel the Blackbirds. Tankers were also assigned to support the European Tanker Task Force which operated from RAFs Fairford and Mildenhall.
Since its activation in Europe, the wing has provided air refueling support for numerous deployments of aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, Europe and the Middle East.
The 351st Air Refueling Squadron supports the 100th with it’s compliment of KC-135R aircraft. It’s also augmented by the European Tanker Task Force, comprised of KC-135 and KC-10 air refueling aircraft from active wings, Air National Guard and Air Reserve units in the United States.
Consisting of more than 9,000 people, including family members, the wing supports three groups, five major associate units and several geographically separated units.
— The 351st ARS’ KC-135R aircraft are assigned to operations. The group is responsible for U.S. air refueling operations associated with the wing and European Tanker Task Force. The group is also involved in maintenance, intelligence, weather, air traffic control and data analysis through the 351st Air Refueling, 100th Aircraft Generation and 100th Operations Support Squadrons.
— This group supports 3rd Air Force, the wing and more than 20 associate and geographically separated units assigned to nine major commands or services. The support group ensures the capability of the base to survive, recover and operate during wartime operations and disaster situations, and provides basic support and quality-of-life products and services to assigned members and their families through the 100th Mission Support, 100th Services, 100th Security Police, 100th Civil Engineer and 100th Communications Squadrons.
— Logistics supplies, maintains and transports all assets required to meet the base’s logistical needs in supporting operational commitments through the 100th Supply, 100th Transportation, 100th Maintenance and 100th Logistics Support Squadrons.
What makes RAF Mildenhall different from other U.S. Air Force bases is the diversity of the units assigned here. With units from four different major commands, and a Navy presence, we have a wide variety of missions occurring simultaneously. This unique relationship requires constant coordination and teamwork.
Because of this, we refer to ourselves as "Team Mildenhall."
— Headquartered at RAF Mildenhall, 3rd Air Force is one of two numbered air forces in U. S. Air Forces in Europe. The principal mission of 3rd Air Force tactical units is to be prepared to conduct tactical air operations, including counter air, interdiction and close air support, as part of the U.S. commitment to NATO. In March 1996, 3rd A.F. became responsible for all U.S. Air Force units north of the Alps. All together, today’s 3rd A.F. is composed of more than 25,000 military people and more than 35,000 family members. Its aircraft now number more than 200, including KC-135 and F-15 aircraft based in England and A-10, F016, C-9, C-20, C-21 and C-130E aircraft at its German bases.
— The SOG is the air component command for special operations within the European command. Under the operational control of the commander for Special Operations Command Europe, the group plans and executes general war and contingency operations using MC-130H Combat Talon, MH-53J Pave Low and HC-130 tanker aircraft. They use tactics and air refueling techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate and resupply special operations forces. The units assigned are the 352nd Operations Support and Maintenance Squadrons; 7th, 21st and 67th Special Operations Squadrons; and 321st Special Tactics Squadron.
— The 95th provides operations, maintenance, intelligence and administrative support for the conduct of European and Mediterranean reconnaissance operations using RC-135 aircraft. They also support EC-135 Airborne Command Post and OC-135 Open Skies missions when in theater.
— The 488th is responsible for a variety of missions that support tactical warfighters and national-level decision makers. The squadron provides tactical intelligence support to the United States, NATO and Allied forces.
— The 627th provides strategic, theater and contract commercial air mobility support for Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The squadron operates the primary aerial port for all air transportation cargo entering and leaving the United Kingdom, and directs the operation of aircraft providing air mobility support in-country. The 627th also provides maintenance support to mobility aircraft transiting England.
— The mission of the Naval Air Facility, Mildenhall, is manifold, but its most important one is providing logistic support to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, and Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom, both headquartered in London. As the only U.S. Naval aviation unit in northern Europe, its support helps keep the fleet at peak morale and readiness. The unit operates three UC-12M aircraft, which fly approximately 195 hours a month, transporting cargo and passengers from Iceland to Italy, Tunisia to the Baltics, Scandinavia to Central Europe, and practically all points in between.
— The 100th Air Refueling Wing also has the responsibility of overseeing the mission of several geographically separated units. Attached units and their locations are:
To help you get settled in Britain, each base has a community relations adviser assigned.
The CRA is employed by the British government, but is a member of the wing commander’s staff. As such, the CRA is there to assist the wing commander, but is also available to help you and your family with any problems you may have in settling down and living in Britain. The CRA can advise you on transportation, traveling; British etiquette; British education; and any other aspects of British life with which you may need help. The CRA can also introduce you to British clubs and organizations and provide information on facilities where you can pursue your hobbies and recreational interests. In short, the community relations adviser can help you with any problem or query concerning the British people, community and country as a whole.
Mildenhall’s CRA is Maggie Cotner. You can contact her at Ext. 2254.
***Call first to save yourself a wasted trip, because her job requires her to be out of the office much of the time.
The United Kingdom is a full Joint Travel Regulation weight allowance area for accompanied members, and for unaccompanied/single Air Force members in the grades of E-5 and above. This means you’ll be able to bring your full weight entitlement of household goods to RAF Mildenhall.
The first shipment to plan is your unaccompanied baggage. Pack with the idea your hold baggage will arrive three to six weeks after you ship it. Pack only what you’re sure you’ll need. You should pack a few dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils, linens, extra clothing, and any necessities you’ll need immediately upon your arrival. Don’t forget that many loaner items are available through family services, so ask your sponsor what you’ll really need prior to making a shipment. If your hold baggage arrives before you do, it’ll be placed in temporary storage at government expense. Upon your arrival, continued storage may be approved for a period not to exceed 90 days. This 90-day period begins on the arrival date of your property, provided your justification for storage meets the criteria in AFR 75-25. Otherwise you’ll be required to accept immediate delivery.
When shipping your POV, remember it takes time for the car to
physically move from the port serving your old duty station to England, so be prepared to
wait. Also, motorbikes and mopeds, regardless of size, are considered motor vehicles and
count against your tax-free concession vehicle allowance. Unleaded gasoline is readily
available, both on and off base, so you needn’t worry about having catalytic
converters removed.
Once you get here you’ll need to complete a Customs and Excise Form 941 at the pass and registration section. This form is used to process your car through British customs. Again check with your TMO for all the necessary information regarding shipment of vehicles to the United Kingdom.
Never ship important documents — personal or professional — in your hold baggage or household goods. The following should be carried with you at all times during your move: Passports; birth certificates; ID cards; drivers licenses; school records; college transcripts; medical records; insurance records, including a "no claims" statement from an auto insurance company; military records; shipping papers on household goods and car; car registration and proof of ownership; name of sponsor and his/her home and duty phone; and your squadron and its phone number.
Consider These
British houses are generally smaller than American homes. Bringing oversized furniture, such as an 8-foot sofa, large triple dresser or king-size bed, should be given careful thought. Even if you have a room large enough to accommodate your oversized treasures, narrow staircases, passageways and doors may prevent you getting it there. Furniture doesn’t bend. If you can’t fit it into your house, you’ll have to sell it or store it at your own expense.
Consider carefully what electrical items you ship. British current is 220/240 volt, 50 hertz versus the American 110 volt, 60 hertz. Because of this, many household items won’t operate without a transformer to step down the current. Items like electric clocks won’t keep accurate time because of the difference in cycles per second (hertz). In addition, some microwave ovens won’t readily convert from 60 hertz to 50 hertz. Operating those ovens on the incorrect frequency is not necessarily dangerous, but it does put more than twice the wear and tear on the main tube, possibly causing it to burn out.
Television sets can also provide some problems. American color sets (NTSC format) won’t work in the United Kingdom with the British broadcasting system (PAL 1 format) and can’t be adapted. Televisions are readily available to buy or rent, either through the base exchange or local shops. Also, if you have an American VCR, it won’t play British recorded videotapes. However, your American television and VCR will work together, and American format tapes may be rented or purchased at several locations on base.
On base and leased quarters are furnished with appliances, and guaranteed-rental quarters with refrigerators and stoves. If you’re going to be living on the economy, your house may not have the appropriate hook-ups, or room, for your American washer and dryer. You should bring your draperies, particularly if they’re large and heavy. Most houses, on base included, have large windows. Heavy draperies keep out drafts in winter, and keep out the light in summer when the sun may not set until 11 p.m. and rises again before 4 a.m.
Bring your lawn mower and garden tools because most houses have
gardens. The British take pride in their flowers and lawns, and you’ll be expected to
do the same.
What clothing to bring should be another consideration. You may find it a little cooler in England than you’re used to, both indoors and out. Average daily temperature in the summer is 60 to 70 degrees and 30 to 40 degrees in the winter. However, a rainy summer day can be as cool as a sunny winter day. You should bring your full complement of military clothing. Both your service dress and summer uniform are optional for all-year wear. However, there are some summer days when you’ll find long sleeves and sweater more fitted to the weather than short sleeves. During base-wide exercises, which are conducted periodically, everyone wears BDUs or flight suits, so be sure to bring at least one set with you no matter what your job, more if you customarily wear BDUs on duty. And don’t forget a raincoat.
Once you’ve decided what you’re going to bring, go to TMO and complete a DD Form 1434. Be sure to list all items in your shipment and file a general description.
After you arrive on base, one of the first and most important stops will be the TMO Personal Property Section. The section is tasked with getting your property to you quickly, giving information on your inbound shipments and assisting you should you have need for claims actions.
Firearms, Shotguns
You and the Law
The United Kingdom recently introduced tougher gun laws. We suggest anyone contemplating shipping a shotgun or firearm into the United Kingdom think twice before doing so. Certain types of weapons have now become illegal here (specifically handguns) and others require a firearms certificate which are much more difficult to obtain than a shotgun license. If you intend to ship any weapon, be sure it’s listed on the United Kingdom Customs Declaration, DD Form 1434. The bottom line is the United Kingdom isn’t the ideal country for weapon enthusiasts. Access to hunting grounds is limited and expen-sive. The firearms regulations here are in a constant process of review. If you do ship a weapon that’s illegal, it’ll be confiscated. If you want to shoot here wait until you arrive to purchase a weapon and join a good club. All weapons stored on or off base must be registered with pass and registration and the British police. An alternative may be to store the weapons at your current base or leave them with relatives.
Postal Services
The RAF Mildenhall Post Office provides full postal service, including parcel mailing, registry, postal money orders and express mail service. Your sponsor should go to the post office and obtain a postbox for you 90 days prior to your reporting date. The format is:
RANK, FULL NAME
UNIT
PSC 37, BOX XXXX
APO AE 09459
This helps avoid delays in delivery of your letters, magazines and bills. When you arrive, go to the parcel pickup window with a copy of your orders and ID card. A clerk will give you your box combination.
Sometimes letters mailed from the United States can take up to 12 days to arrive because John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is the exit point for all mail destined for Europe. Larger packages and some magazines travel from the states by ship (surface mail) and may take from 30 to 75 days for delivery. If you send a package home, it’ll automatically go by air to inland gateways, regardless of the paid rate.
British Mail System — The British mail system has first and second class letter service and it delivers daily except on Sunday. First class mail usually arrives the next day, while second class is a bit slower outside the immediate area. Also, you can pay your electric, gas and telephone bills, as well as get your TV license and renew your car tax, at your local British Post Office.
If you receive letters from international addresses, other than the United States, you can avoid delays by using the British address for your post office box (If you use your APO address, your mail will go to the States before getting back to you). The British address is:
YOUR RANK AND FULL NAME
PSC 37, BOX XXXX
RAF MILDENHALL
BURY ST EDMUNDS
SUFFOLK IP28 8NF
Free Mailing — Military Post Offices in Europe have a free mailing service between European APOs, but this doesn’t extend to organizational mail. You can’t use your mailbox to conduct business or receive mail for anyone outside your immediate family. Those people with certain APO return addresses can send letters or parcels weighing up to 70 pounds to friends with APO postboxes in Europe. All you have to do is mark "MPS" where you would normally place a stamp. While you may simply deposit letters in the APO’s regular drop boxes, you must attach customs labels to parcels at the lower left-hand side on the front of the package and bring them to the parcel mailing window.
If you have any problems or questions, feel free to phone the post office at Exts. 2949 or 2151, or stop in upon your arrival.
Now that the household shipment is sorted out, and you’re planning all the places to see and things to do in England, you suddenly notice your four-legged family member staring up at you. Should you bring your pet?
Bringing pets to Britain is an expensive proposition, but if you find you just can’t live without this member of your family, here’s what you need to know. Because Britain is a rabies-free island, all animals imported into the country must be quarantined for six months after arrival. The owner pays for the cost of quarantining the animal with prices averaging from $150 to $250 a month for dogs and $100 to $150 a month for cats. In addition, during the first 14 days of quarantine, the pet can’t have visitors. However, after the initial two weeks, visiting periods, which vary from kennel to kennel, are allowed. Six months is overkill, since it’s apparently possible to tell whether an animal is carrying the disease in three weeks, but the lengthy quarantine has an ulterior motive. As an island community, the British must limit the number of animals that can be responsibly harbored. Authorities figure anyone prepared to go through all the hassle and expense entailed in bringing an animal into the United Kingdom is unlikely to abandon it, and will probably care for it properly. So, although the government is even now considering changes to the quarantine laws, they still won’t make it easy to bring animals into the country.
Single dogs seem to find quarantines hardest to cope with. Two dogs have each other for company, but even then it’s traumatic because each time you go to visit them they think they’re going home, and each time they’re disappointed. Cats cope better. Where dogs get distraught, cats get upset, but they’re pretty philosophical and so long as they’re fed, kindly treated, and have a warm place to sleep, they’ll be O.K.
If, after considering all the pros and cons, you still want to bring your bundle of fun and fur, write to Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Southgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England IP33 2BD. Tell them your intentions and they’ll send you a list of authorized kennels and carrying agents, plus an application for an import license. You’ll have to make prior arrangements with an approved carrying agent to pick up your pet when it arrives and with an approved quarantine kennel. Once, you’ve completed your tour here, plan on taking your pet with you or finding it another home. If your PCS date arrives and you find you still haven’t made arrangements for your pet, call the community relations adviser who’ll come and pick up your pet and take it to the animal sanctuary. We have very good relationships with several local sanctuaries, who guarantee never to put an animal down unless it’s terminally ill, and work hard at finding it a new home.
Contact community Relations Advisor if you want info on quarantine sent to you.
Welcome to England and RAF Mildenhall! You’ve been assigned to the finest Air Force installation in the United Kingdom. As a member of Team Mildenhall you can be sure we’ll do our best to help you get settled, take care of your needs and encourage you to develop your full potential as an Air Force professional.
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and thousands of islands surrounding them. It holds a beauty, culture and history far beyond many people’s expectations. Historic houses, preserved with the care and attention of many generations; lush, green countrysides; and picturesque villages and gardens contain great scenic variety and give those stationed here the opportunity to experience a country and people like no other.
Whether you'd like to venture off the beaten track or visit more established sites, there’s truly something for everyone in England. We hope you’ll enjoy your assignment here and find this guide helpful as you become acquainted with your new home.
Travel time from the east coast to Mildenhall is approximately eight hours. You may, however, be booked on a commercial flight from the States to London’s Gatwick or Heathrow International Airports. Civilian attire is required on these flights.
It’s important for you to let your sponsor at Mildenhall know how and when you’ll be departing from the States and arriving here. With advance notification, your sponsor can meet you upon arrival. The flight from the States will be long, and you’ll be tired when you arrive, but a friendly face and helping hand will smooth your first few days. When you arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, you’ll process through British Customs and Immigration — a fairly simple and brief procedure.
For travel on to Mildenhall, you must use the contract bus services provided by the Air Force. The base is approximately 110 miles from Heathrow, so don’t get into a taxi and ask to be taken to Mildenhall. It’s a very expensive proposition, and since the government provides transportation, you won’t be reimbursed. Once you’ve cleared immigration and customs, follow these directions on meeting the bus and review the bus schedule to get to Mildenhall. If arriving at Heathrow, meet the buses at the coach area (Charter Bays 9 through 14) just outside Terminal 3 arrivals.
Those arriving at Gatwick may arrive in two different areas. If you land at the north terminal, turn right and go straight out the terminal exit doors after walking down the customs hallway and getting to the end of the ropes. Once outside, you will need to go the Coach Road bus stop. Those landing at the south terminal need to come out of the international arrivals area through the baggage claim area and through customs. After leaving customs, make an immediate right turn and go toward the travel and information center. Once there, make an immediate left and look for signs that say "to parking and ground transportation." It’ll be straight ahead of you. This will take you outside to the ground transportation area. Go down the steps to the coach departure area and make a right turn. "Zone D" will be about 50 yards in front of you on a large concrete pillar. Wait there for the bus.
Below is the scheduled arrival and departure times for the airports to Mildenhall. Your sponsor should meet you once you arrive.
RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath operate two daily shuttle bus runs to and from Heathrow and Gatwick International Airports. The bus service is primarily for PCS and TDY people arriving and departing these airports. The following is a schedule of the buses:
To Heathrow
From Heathrow
To Gatwick
From Gatwick
All new arrivals must report to their orderly rooms upon arrival so records can be screened. The next step is to hand carry your records to the INTRO section at the Family Support Center. It is at this time that individuals will be scheduled for in-processing briefings for housing, TMO, pre-deployment, finance and driver's training. Please be sure to have your Post Office box number and a signed copy of your orders with you when you arrive at the INTRO office. Hours of operation for INTRO are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Overseas orientations are presented bimonthly and are a valuable source of information about Mildenhall and the surrounding area. The briefing is mandatory for military and optional for family members, who can attend with their sponsor or by themselves at a later date. To find out when the next orientation is, call base INTRO at Ext. 5294.
After arriving on the base, you should go to the inbound section of the traffic management office or call Exts. 2927 or 2201 to find out the status of your hold baggage, household goods and privately-owned vehicle.
The shipment of your household goods and hold baggage can result in damage or loss to some of your personal effects. Filing a claim for such damage is relatively simple, but there are various requirements that must be met before you may be adequately reimbursed.
This form is used to establish the fact that loss or new transit damage to household goods were present when the household goods were delivered at destination by the carrier. The carrier will provide you three copies of this form to record any damages or loss at the time of delivery and the DD Form 1840 becomes a receipt for personal property.
If you discover additional damage or loss, you’ll need to use the reverse side of the DD Form 1840/1840R to record this damage or loss. This form must be completed and turned into the claims office within 70 days from the date your goods were delivered. In addition to DD Form 1840R, you must bring legible copies of your inventory and a copy of the Government Bill of Lading.
The claims office strongly encourages claimants arriving from Germany to report damage or loss within 10 days of the date of delivery. Although you still have the full 70 days to note all damage or loss, filing within 10 days preserves the Air Force’s right to assess liability against the carrier. Failing to notify the claims office of additional loss and damages may enable the carrier to deny liability for the loss and damage, to the detriment of the government, and probably to you, because a reduction in the amount paid to you will likely be taken. You still have up to two years to file claims against the government.
The delivery of household goods is a difficult experience — you’ll be busy trying to keep up with everything as it comes in and deciding where things should go. Both you and the carrier have certain responsibilities that can’t be ignored during delivery.
Carriers are required to deliver and unpack belongings, so make sure they complete the job.
Remember, when completing the DD Form 1840, don’t waive unpacking and removal of packing materials, boxes, cartons and other debris. If you waive unpacking, you’ll not only have to do the unpacking yourself, you’ll also need to discard all boxes and cartons. If you allow carriers to leave before all unpacking is complete, keep a good record of additional damages and complete the unpacking as quickly as possible.
Privately-owned
Vehicles
Any motorized vehicle being imported into the United Kingdom, including motorcycles shipped in household goods, are considered to be concession (tax free) vehicles. Concession vehicles are any vehicles imported or purchased free of VAT (value added tax), car tax, and duty/excise tax.
Only military members and DOD civilian components are authorized to own a concession vehicle and there’s a limit on how many a person may own. People on accompanied tours can own two concession vehicles. You must complete four copies of Customs and Excise Form 941 at the pass and registration section before your vehicle will be cleared into the United Kingdom.
Vehicles imported into the country must be registered with the British authorities at pass and registration within three working days after picking up the vehicle from port.
You must have a stateside license plate attached to the vehicle when picking it up at the port. Any vehicle under three years old must have a base safety inspection conducted by the staff at the auto skills development center.
Vehicles three years or older must have a Ministry of Transport Certificate.
Whenever conducting or participating in a transaction involving a concession vehicle, call the pass and registration section at Ext. 2876.
You can check the status of your incoming POV via the
web. Click here and type
in the order number on you DD Form 788 (located in the block called "Stowage
Information") and your last name.
All motor vehicle operators stationed in the United Kingdom must have a valid stateside or a host nation drivers license and a 3rd Air Force driving permit. This includes family members, contractors and individuals who are TDY here for more than 30 days.
A U.S. forces driving permit such as a USAREUR Driving Permit may be used as a valid drivers license. You’ll have to attend a drivers orientation course examination to obtain a 3rd Air Force Driving Permit. Attending this course, the Course II Local Driving Condition Class, is the first step in registering vehicles. The Customs and Excise Form 941 isn’t issued until you’ve attended the course and been issued a 3rd Air Force driving permit. The class is held Fridays at 8 a.m. at the base theater. The items you need to bring to the class are a valid and current state drivers license and a pen. Be sure your driver’s license is current. Not all states have a military clause for drivers licenses.
Check with your state drivers license department to see what the military clause is and to make sure your license remains current for the length of your tour. However, as long as the license is current when you attend the course, you’ll be issued a 3rd Air Force driving permit, which expires one year after your DEROS.
The child development program offers a developmental program for children from 6 weeks to 5 years. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and certified by the Department of Defense and Air Force.
The curriculum is based on the belief that children learn best by doing, actively thinking and experimenting through purposeful play in a planned environment. It’s designed to provide developmental experiences in language, mathematics, motor skills, creativity and social and emotional growth. Activities include art, music, cooking, science, singing, table toys and games, speakers and special events, as well as field trips. Outdoor play is an important part of the curriculum and can be enjoyed safely by all children.
To register:
The program runs weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children aged 6 months to 5 years may use hourly care on a space-available basis. Incoming and outgoing families have priority for hourly care.
Incoming families have priority for 14 days, including weekends, from the day they arrive in country, and outgoing families have priority 14 days, including weekends, from their port-of-call date. Reservations for hourly care can be made one week in advance, either in person or by telephone anytime during operating hours. Children can’t remain in the center for more than 10 hours.
Children’s names may be placed on the waiting list by a parent completing DD Form 2606, DOD Child Development Program Request for Care Record. This form is available from any Air Force Child Development Program.
You can register before your PCS move to RAF Mildenhall if a copy of your orders is provided. The DD Form 2606 is also accepted for unborn infants, however, all policies apply regardless of whether the child has been born when a slot becomes available.
For more information, call the center at Ext. 2042.
Child Care for PCS Program - The Air Force Aid Society will pay up to 20 hours of child care (per child) in certified Family Child Care homes on base. This program is designed to relieve some of the stress felt by families in the process of a PCS move.
Eligibility: Members, E-5 and below, with PCS orders, others with unique circumstances. Certificates are valid within 30 days of departure. Members can be issued a certificate at both bases if a program is available; however, certificate is only good at base where issued. Unused hours do not transfer from one base to another.
For more information contact your sponsor the Family Child Care Coordinator at ext 4040 or the Family Support Center at ext 3406.
As an extension of the child development program, referrals for licensed family day care providers are available. After extensive training, screening and home inspections, individuals may be licensed to provide child care in government quarters for children 2 weeks and older.
Licensed providers are often flexible in their hours and can assist in meeting the needs of the shift worker, as well as offer weekend and evening care. A list of off-base resources is also available from the family day care office.
For a list of current openings or information on becoming a family day care provider, call Ext. 4040.
There are 40 temporary lodging facility units available for Mildenhall families. If your family accompanies you, you’ll need to make reservations as soon as possible. The lodging reservations clerk may be reached at Ext. 2655 or you can contact reservations via e-mail. The front desk is always open.
TLFs are equipped for a family of four and include a modern kitchenette with microwave, stove, refrigerator, cooking and eating utensils, color television with cable and a laundry room within the building. Current TLF charges are $35 a day, payable every 10 days. You must pay your final bill upon check out. The maximum allowable reserved stay in the TLF is 30 days for families PCSing in.
Gateway Dining Facility 
The Gateway Dining Facility serves breakfast from 6 to 8 a.m., lunch from 10:30
a.m. to 1 p.m., dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m., and midnight meal from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
On weekends and holidays, the facility offers brunch from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., supper from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and midnight meal from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. As a new arrival, you and your family are welcome to use the facility at all meals except the midnight meal while drawing temporary lodging allowance. However, the sponsor must be with the family and the full-meal rate — individual food cost plus 30 percent — must be paid by E-5s and above. E-4s and below pay the partial-meal rate, which is individual food cost only.
The Flight Deck (in-flight kitchen) is open around-the-clock. It offers a variety of flight and ground meals for official duty customers, including a selection of "Check It Out" healthy choices.
The Hardstand Cafe, on the flightline, is open weekdays and serves breakfast from 6:30 to 8 a.m., lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. It offers a fast food menu for carryout or dining in, and is closed weekends, holidays and during most exercises.
The Family Support Center is the service organization for Air Force families and a focal point for family matters.
The Air Force realizes there’s a direct relationship between a member’s ability to successfully accomplish the mission, and the quality of life which his or her family experiences. Because of this relationship, many programs are available to promote a positive family environment. The FSC helps families enhance their quality of life.
The FSC also helps commanders meet their responsibilities for the health and welfare of Air Force families. The FSC provides the following services:
— This function is used to link families with the right source to meet their specific needs. The FSC provides you with individual interviews to help determine your needs, and refer you to the right source. There’s limited short-term counseling service for personal problems such as stress and marital concerns. The FSC also provides an updated guide to community and base resources, and information libraries, which offer a wealth of information and references.
This program offers information, available to assist in financial management. Seminars such as ""Basic Money Management and Financial Planning and Mutual Funds" are available to help analyze your personal financial status.
This is a nonprofit organization that helps Air Force members with emergencies through interest-free loans or grants for basic needs. You could qualify for assistance if you need a rent or mortgage payment to prevent eviction or foreclosure, help in paying for utility bills to avoid being disconnected, or car repair for an essential vehicle. If you feel you need assistance, call Ext. 3406.
The FSC helps single and married Air Force members and their families prepare for relocation to a new base, and adjust to life there once they arrive.
For additional information about the Family Support Center or its programs, call Ext. 3406.
The RAF Mildenhall American Red Cross office is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist in family communications and emergencies. Services include verification of death or sudden illness, birth announcements, and health and welfare reports due to lack of communication over a long period of time. The Red Cross offers various volunteer programs and training such as: services to the hospital, dental clinics through the Dental Assistance program, and disaster services. Courses in community first and safety (which includes CPR) are held monthly. Babysitting classes are projected to begin in Spring 99. A Red Cross Youth Volunteer Program is available for youths ages 12 and up to participate in community service activities and projects.
After duty hours, and on weekends and holidays, a Red Cross emergency representative can be reached by calling the Mildenhall Command Post at Ext. 2121.
The chapel provides a wide range of worship opportunities for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish personnel. Religious retreats, conferences, seminars and marriage enrichment weekends highlight its program of spiritual growth and renewal activities.
Religious education classes for children and adults are offered September through May.
The music ministry has children and adult choirs, and Christmas British-American presentations of Handel’s "Messiah." Bible study, youth, single men’s and women’s groups are the mainstay of its vibrant program.
A chaplain is assigned to each squadron to provide pastoral presence and care for members and their families. Confidential counseling is available at all times, and a chaplain is on-call for emergencies after duty hours through the command post at Ext. 2121. For a chaplain appointment or information concerning group meetings and pastoral rites, call Ext. 2822 or stop by the chapel.
Legal
Assistance
The RAF Mildenhall Law Center can be reached at Ext. 2028. As a part of the law center’s community legal services program, "Barristers’ Briefs" are currently available covering many topics of U.S. and British law. The law center also has important stateside information on driver’s license renewal and addresses, vehicle taxes and registration, garnishment, and state and federal income taxes. Legal assistance is available by appointment. The law center also offers assistance with powers of attorney and bills of sale, and has notary service on a walk-in basis weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Claims — If you sustain loss or damage to your household goods, hold baggage or vehicle during your move, attend a claims briefing any Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. or 3 p.m.
You have 70 days from the date of delivery of your household goods or hold baggage to note additional loss or damage on DD Form 1840R and turn it into the claims office.
You must note damages at the time you pick up your car from the port. Failure to do this may result in having a claim denied. You have two years from the date of delivery to file a claim against the government for any loss or damage you sustain. You’re encouraged to contact the claims office as soon as possible after receiving your goods. To reduce processing times, please retain the following documents: Government Bill of Lading, Pick-up Inventory, DD Form 1299 and DD Form 1797. The claims office can be reached at Ext. 2953 to answer any further questions you may have.
Civil Law — The law center provides a wide range of legal services to military members and their dependents. Legal assistance is available on an appointment basis. Walk-in legal assistance is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. Legal assistance includes advice on adoption procedures, name changes, contracts, indebtedness, taxation, domestic relations, insurance, spousal support, residence and wills. Will executions are held Fridays from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Military Justice — The military justice section is responsible for the proper administration of justice. It advises commanders on adverse actions, and ensures people are aware of, and use, the Area Defense Counsel when needed. The Area Defense Counsel is located at RAF Lakenheath, DSN 226-3608.
Security Police
Law enforcement and security elements of the 100th Security Police Squadron complement each other to provide 24-hour protection for base people and resources.
Operation Identification — People enrolling in this program help local police agencies to identify stolen property. The security police squadron has items to help people mark their property in case it’s lost or stolen.
Crime Stop — This program is offered to help people living on or off base. Callers to Ext. 2444 or (01638) 542444 talk directly with security police officials trained in law enforcement response who can also coordinate with local police agencies if needed.
Vehicle Watch — People can enroll in this program that serves as a deterrent to would-be car thieves.
McGruff ID cards — Parents can enroll in this program to receive special ID cards for their children. Call pass and registration, Ext. 5317, for details.
For more information on other security police crime prevention programs, call Ext. 3193.
Passenger
Terminal
The 627th Air Mobility Support Squadron’s Air Passenger Terminal is the only one in England. The terminal offers flights to both European and stateside destinations. Regular European destinations include Ramstein AB, Germany and Aviano AB, Italy; and stateside stops include Dover AFB, Del., and Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington International Airports.
The terminal’s operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
A monthly schedule of regular flights is published at the beginning of each month. Unscheduled flights to other destinations are also available throughout the month.
For more information on flights or terminal services, call Exts. 2248 or 2526.
The 100th Services Squadron Sports Store offers a variety of products and services to the RAF Mildenhall community. The store also sells CDs and laserdiscs, for a variety of tastes. If renting videos and video games is more to your liking, Video Vision Express offers the Top 100 videos plus those "oldies but goodies" you haven’t seen for years. Membership is free. Video rental specials include "half-price" Tuesdays and $1 rentals Thursdays. Previously-viewed videos are also available for purchase.
The store also
sells musical instruments and accessories, and operates a heatsealing and embroidery
service.
Whether
you’ve just arrived and need storage for hold baggage until you find a house, or have
been assigned here a while and "outgrown" your present home, you can rent
storage units from the store. The units are located behind the mini-mall, convenient
to the Mildenhall housing complex. Locker storage units may be rented weekly, monthly or
yearly.
The Sports Store is located in the post office and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Army and Air Force Exchange Service Facilities
The AAFES facilities at RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath in some ways mirror themselves, and in other ways are divided between the two bases. The following is a list of AAFES facilities at both bases:
The main base exchange store is at RAF Lakenheath, five miles away. In addition to the normal stateside exchange merchandise, the Lakenheath store also stocks clothing lines featuring some of the better brands usually found only in off-base stores in the United States. It also features a large selection of stereo components, cameras, computers and video equipment.
The customer service department handles special orders, "Mail-a-gift" services and AAFES catalog orders.
Shopette
The RAF Mildenhall Shoppette is open 24 hours. The facility opened in Dec 98 and is well stocked, carrying a wide variety of items to suit many needs. Stocked items include tobacco products, candy, soft drinks, film, basic household goods, groceries and a Class VI section, televisions, stereo equipment, and VCRs.
There is also an extensive video rental section for VHS and DVDs. Only ration card holders may purchase items from the Class VI section. Purchase lists are checked regularly by American and British law enforcement officials due to strict British customs and excise rules on the sale of these items.
The co-located Bxtra Mall Complex is also new. It sells a selection of hardware, sporting goods, electrical supplies, outdoor living and gardening supplies and equipment, pet supplies and a year-round selection of toys.
Within the new mall complex there is also a food court with a Baskin-Robbins, Robin Hood deli, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Anthony's Pizza.
BookMark
The BookMark is the AAFES bookstore, carrying a wide selection of books in all topics. The store also has approximately 1,100 titles in its magazine racks and sells American newspapers. Youngsters enjoy the extensive selection of titles in the children’s book area.
If you can’t find a book you want on the rack, employees operate a special order program for U.S. books. The Mildenhall BookMark is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Home & Craft
Center
Lakenheath’s Home & Craft Center stocks AAFES’ supply of household linens. Draperies, sheets, comforters, bath items and craft supplies are all sold here rather than at the main exchange.
Also sold at the center are blankets, sheets, pillows and comforters for children and infants. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Lakenheath
Shoppette
Lakenheath’s Shoppette is a combined AAFES’ concessionaire. It includes a BookMark, flower shop, Robin Hood Sandwich Shoppe and movie rentals. They have a wide selection of goods including soft drinks, film, basic household goods, groceries and tobacco products. The shoppette also has a Class VI section.
Furniture Store
The AAFES Furniture Store, located nine miles north of the base at RAF Feltwell, offers a full line of brand-name American furniture including bedroom suites, dining room sets, living room furniture and household appliances. English brass beds are also available by special order.
The furniture store, which is open seven days a week, also carries baby furniture, car seats, strollers and high chairs.
Service Stations
The AAFES Service Stations at Mildenhall and Lakenheath sell both regular and unleaded gasoline as well as offering mechanical repairs; tire sales, mounting, balancing and wheel alignment; tune-ups, and lubrication and oil changes. They also operate breakdown repair services and sell bottled gas, which many people use to heat their homes.
Food Facilities
At Mildenhall, the food court offers an extensive menu featuring breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Omelets, pancakes and "walkaway" sandwiches are included in the breakfast menu. Lunch and dinner menus include a variety of burgers, chicken and fish fillets, pastries and salads. Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and Anthony’s Pizza are also offered. Frank’s Franks is located outside the old Four Seasons Store.
Burger King and Popeye’s Chicken restaurants are located at Lakenheath. In the main exchange mall, you'll also find Frank’s Franks, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and food court offering the same types of items found here.
Military Clothing Sales
The RAF Lakenheath Military Clothing Sales Store carries a comprehensive selection of uniform items. Located near the Lakenheath Main Exchange, the store stocks both issue and exchange uniform items.
Theaters
Both
Mildenhall and Lakenheath have movie theaters which provide evening entertainment seven
days a week.
Matinees are also periodically shown on weekends and holidays.
The Box D Theater at Mildenhall and the Pineview Theater at Lakenheath have fully operational snack stands providing fresh popcorn, candy, sodas and other food items.
Other Services and
Concessions
Contracted repair services are available through AAFES to include appliances, radios and other electrical goods. Items may be taken to the BX or Four Seasons for transport to the contractor.
Other exchange concessions on Mildenhall include a coin-operated laundromat, barber and beauty shops, laundry, alterations shop and dry cleaning (including a two-hour service).
Same day photo processing is available at a self-contained mini-lab located in the mall at the Lakenheath Main Exchange. Be warned that photo processing here costs more than in the US.
Private concessions offer silverware, china, British souvenirs and art, U.S. Car Sales concession and custom-tailored clothing. These vendors are also located at Lakenheath.
There’s also a shoe repair service offered at Mildenhall, operated through the laundry and dry cleaning shop.
The main commissary is at RAF Lakenheath. However, RAF Mildenhall has a small branch commissary across from the old Four Seasons.
RAF Lakenheath
Commissary
Lakenheath’s Commissary serves both RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath communities. This facility is open 7 days per week! The store is quite modern and features a deli, bakery and fresh pizzas and sub sandwiches made to order. The store is equipped with 14 cash registers, two of which are "express" lanes, to facilitate a quick checkout. Most grocery items and fresh beef come from the United States, so shoppers find many of their favorite brand name products on the shelves. Produce is procured daily from a variety of countries depending on season and availability. Some dairy and bakery products are purchased locally.
RAF Mildenhall
Branch Commissary
A wide selection of items are available at Mildenhall’s Branch Commissary which is open Monday through Saturday. The branch commissary also has a delicatessen offering fresh sandwiches.
Operating hours are Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sunday.
There are literally hundreds of noncredit courses available in the towns and villages surrounding the base. Most are offered at low cost and Americans are welcome to attend. The Mildenhall Adult Center, located at Mildenhall Upper School, offers a number of courses for both leisure and learning. Call the education office at Ext. 2350, or the community relations adviser’s office at Ext. 2254 for contacts in the British school system and/or further education programs.
Graduate, Undergraduate Programs
University and college extension annexes at RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath offer an extended range of degrees and course materials.
- University of Maryland
— The University of Maryland offers courses leading to undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, business administration and management, computer science and information systems management. They also provide a wide range of courses including general education requirements for the Community College of the Air Force. Master’s degrees are offered in counseling and personnel management, and administrative management with a specialization in public or business administration.- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
— Embry Riddle offers undergraduate courses leading to degrees in aeronautical studies, aviation management and aviation administration and graduate courses for a master’s degree in aeronautical science.- Troy State University
— Troy State offers master’s degrees in international relations.- City Colleges of Chicago
— City Colleges of Chicago provides a self-paced video program. They offer remedial and refresher courses and general education courses for CCAF and other regionally accredited colleges and universities. An associate of arts degree can be completed in general studies.- Central Texas College
— Central Texas College offers technical certificates and associate degrees in automotive, child development, emergency medical technology, fire protection, law enforcement, food service management and paralegal studies.Professional Military Education
PME at Mildenhall includes both the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) and the Air War College (AWC) seminar programs. Third Air Force operates the Airman Leadership School at RAF Feltwell. The USAFE NCO Academy is at Kapaun Air Station, Germany.
For information on any of these programs, contact the education office at Ext. 2350.
School Considerations for Your Children
Department of Defense Dependent Schools United Kingdom District is part of the DOD Overseas Schools, with the district superintendent’s office at RAF Feltwell. The UK District is responsible for 17 schools located in England, Scotland, Iceland, and the Azores. There are no DOD schools on RAF Mildenhall; however, there are four schools operated throughout the Lakenheath/Feltwell complex. These include an elementary school with grades kindergarten through five, and a high school with grades nine through 12. RAF Feltwell, 11 miles north of RAF Lakenheath, hosts a middle school with grades six through eight, and an elementary school with grades kindergarten through five. All four schools are accredited by the North Central Accreditation Association and inspected regularly by staff. NCA is the accreditation agency for 19 states, thus ensuring the DOD Schools standards are comparable to U.S. school districts.
The Lakenheath elementary and high schools are housed in large modern buildings. The elementary school is located in the area of RAF Lakenheath. Lakenheath Middle School is currently housed in several separate buildings, campus style, at RAF Feltwell. Feltwell Elementary School mainly serves RAF Feltwell residents and those military members who live in nearby towns.
Tuition-free, space-required enrollment is limited by DOD regulation to command-sponsored pupils; others may be admitted on a space-available basis, either tuition-free or tuition-paying. Children’s names must appear on the sponsors’ overseas travel orders as proof of command sponsorship.
School bus transportation is provided by government contract with local commercial companies. Service is limited by DOD regulation to those students who live outside the walking area, but inside the zone limit of approximately one hour’s travel time. This transportation is a privilege, not a right, and some students have been barred from using the buses because of continued misbehavior. Sponsors should check with the school bus office before renting or buying any off-base housing, to ensure it’s within the limits of school bus travel. Because roads are narrow and winding it takes longer to travel relatively short distances, compared to the same distances in the states. So the one-hour time limit may seem a little misleading to some people.
Students in grades one through eight have access to computer instruction regularly. Those in high school are required to take at least one computer course. Students in grades seven and eight may participate in band, chorus, industrial arts, art, home economics or telecommunication programs. There is also a large after-school activity program at Lakenheath Middle School.
High school students must successfully complete a minimum of 20 units for graduation. Most seniors graduate with 24 units. Required courses spread over the four years account for 12.5 units; students must earn the remainder with elective courses. The high school enrolls about 600 students and there are approximately 50 faculty and staff members, including two guidance counselors and a librarian. An Air Force Junior ROTC unit also operates in the high school.
Interscholastic sports include football, basketball, track and field, wrestling, female volleyball, female basketball, soccer, softball and tennis. Other extracurricular activities include photo, speech and drama clubs; a Model United Nations; cheerleading; and many other after-school activities.
Lakenheath American Elementary School is the largest elementary school in the district, with a standing enrollment of approximately 1,390 pupils. The complex is made up of two modern buildings connected by an enclosed corridor. The school has about 90 people on its teaching staff. Supervision is provided by four administrators. The staff includes art, music and physical education teachers, as well as two host nation teachers who introduce British culture and customs. Kindergarten pupils are housed separately and attend morning or afternoon sessions. Morning sessions are for Mildenhall and other off-base pupils, while afternoons are for pupils living on base at RAF Lakenheath.
In order to enroll in the DOD schools, sponsors must present the following: Birth certificate or other official proof of date of birth; up-to-date immunization certificate; records from last school attended, and last report card; copy of travel orders showing names of children; valid ID and passport; Social Security number (if not on travel orders); complete duty address and phone; temporary address and phone, and subsequently, local home address and telephone number; and permanent address in the United States (home of record).
Attendance — School attendance is compulsory for children ages 6 through 16 under British Law, whether sponsors live on-base or off. In addition, the school must be recognized by the Local Education Authority for the county in which the sponsor lives.
DOD schools are approved by the local authorities. Education "other than in school" must be approved by the Local Education Authority in advance. There’s a stiff fine of up to £400 for parents who don’t send their children to school (Education Act of 1944, et seq.). Those who have questions about "home schooling" should call DSN 226-7252 and 226-7251.
According to the Status of Forces Agreement, American families are welcome to use British state (public) schools, and, in doing so, are bound by the same rules that govern the British. Americans tend to put their younger children into British primary (elementary) schools, while the older children go the American high school on base. The two college systems are very different, and the American high school is better able to prepare American teenagers for their own system.
Families stationed at RAF Mildenhall have a choice of sending their children to the DOD schools on RAFs Lakenheath and Feltwell, or sending them to a British school. If you occupy housing on nearby RAF Lakenheath, as many families assigned to Mildenhall do, British schools expect you to use the DOD elementary school on the base. Very few families actually live on Mildenhall’s base as there are few housing units. The majority of our people live in the surrounding villages. You can do nothing about finding a British school for your child until you know the exact address at which you’ll be living.
Every primary school in the country has an area around it called its "catchment area." If you live within a school’s catchment area, the school must accept your child. If you want to send him or her to a school other than the catchment area school, it’s entirely up to the head teacher whether they accept your child or not.
British primary schools take children for full-time regular schooling at the beginning of the term (semester) in which they become 5 years old. The British have run into problems in the past when Americans have put their children into British school at the age of 5, then withdrawn them on their 6th birthday and sent them to the DOD elementary school. This is not a good idea, as the two systems operate differently, and our two cultures are markedly different. If you withdraw your child from British school because you’re not satisfied with the standard, that, of course, is a whole different ball game. Under those circumstances you have every right to withdraw your child at any time. Americans seem to like the British system, however, and it’s been said American children who’ve attended British schools are significantly ahead of their contemporaries when they finally rejoin the U.S. system.
The British school year is divided into three terms, autumn (fall), spring and summer. The weather doesn’t permit the British to have their children under foot for three months every summer, so the longest holiday (vacation) is the six-week summer break. The children go back to school for the start of the new academic year around Sept. 6 for three months. They then have a three-week Christmas break.
That over, they return to school for three months until the three-week Easter break, then go back into school for the final term, which ends in the long summer break. In addition, each term is broken in the middle by a week’s half-term holiday. It sounds complicated, but works out in practice as six weeks in school, one week out, six weeks in, three weeks out, and so on until the summer six-week break.
The school day typically begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 3:30 p.m. The lunch break lasts from noon to 1:30 p.m., and the children have a choice of going home or staying for a hot lunch provided by the school for a small daily charge. The morning and afternoon school sessions are broken up by a 15-minute playtime (recess).
Primary schools no longer insist on strict uniform regs of yesteryear, but they do like a certain uniformity of dress, so they may ask for children to wear, for example, grey skirts or pants and perhaps a white sweatshirt, or T-shirt in the summer, with the school badge printed on it, obtainable at low cost from the school. It helps to avoid the "we only play with people wearing orange-tag Levis" problem, which can sometimes arise when children go to school in the clothes of their own choice.
Family Housing Office
Getting settled and finding a place to live will probably be your highest priorities once you arrive. There are several agencies at RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath to make settling in a lot easier and help you find just the right place to live.
The Area Family Housing Office serves military and U.S. civilian personnel assigned to Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Feltwell. It’s located at RAF Lakenheath, and can be reached by calling DSN 226-1840 or Commercial (01638) 521840. A Mildenhall housing support office can be reached at Exts. 2808 and 3522.
Once PCS orders are received you may submit an advanced housing application to RAF Lakenheath through your losing base. The staff at the Lakenheath housing office will process the application within 24 hours of receipt and return a copy of the DD Form 1747 advising you of your waiting list status. Be sure you retain the carbon copy of the advanced application since it may be needed to show proof an application was submitted.
There are 2,178 military family housing units at 11 different locations available for assignment to military with command-sponsored dependents. Currently, civilian employees are not authorized base housing. All military family houses are supplied with a refrigerator, stove and washer and dryer. In addition, more than half of the houses have 110 volt as well as 240 volt electrical outlets. In most base houses, waterbeds are forbidden.
A new feature has
recently been added to check your position and estimated waiting time on the military
family housing waiting list. You can now call the new computerized phone system. You must
have a touch tone phone and your sponsor's social security number to use this system. Just
dial (89)5356 from on-base or 011 44 1638 525 367 from the US.
There are a number of dormitories on RAF Mildenhall. Wing officials are working toward single occupancy in all dormitories, but currently only some are set up that way. Only two dorms have the communal bathroom setup, and all others have been renovated to the room-bath-room configuration. Mildenhall’s first 1-plus-1 dormitory opens in the Spring of 1998. Current policy for single people to receive basic allowance for quarters and live off base is: E-6s and above are automatically given the entitlement, and E-5s and career E-4s have the option to put themselves on a waiting list to receive the entitlement and permission to live off base.
All military and DOD civilian personnel must process through the housing office and attend a housing briefing prior to making any commitment to rent or buy economy housing. It’s in your best interest to report to the housing office within 48 hours of arrival for more information. The briefing advises you of economy housing availability, local peculiarities, contracts and overseas housing allowance. Most families find housing within 60 days, however, those people who have large families and require larger quarters may take longer. The staffs at both housing offices maintain a computer data base of available off-base houses so it tends to be a very busy place. Local newspapers, estate agents and bulletin boards in local shops are additional sources for economy housing.
When you find a house you’d like to view, telephone the landlord or his agent, and make an appointment. When a house is found, contracts are completed and returned to the housing office for review. Upon moving in, the housing office completes all paperwork necessary to start your OHA and utilities allowance.
Private rental housing is limited in the vicinity of RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath. Because the bases are located in rural areas, rental housing is scattered throughout the towns and villages, up to 50 miles away. This housing consists mainly of detached (single houses), semi-detached (duplexes) and terraced houses (town houses). Apartment complexes are almost nonexistent. Houses in the United Kingdom are generally smaller than those in the United States and many don’t have built-in closets, so space needs to be allowed for free standing wardrobes.
Although some furnished houses are available, the housing office concentrates on listing unfurnished properties since most people bring their own furniture. Some houses have hookups for washers and dryers. Washers, dryers, stoves, and refrigerators are provided by the RAF Feltwell Housing Supply Office on a loaner basis.
Cost of private rentals vary from area to area but are reasonably priced compared with other U.S. Air Forces in Europe installations, particularly those located nearer to London.
Unfurnished rentals may be obtained for $500 to $1,500 per month. Rent is normally paid one month in advance. A security deposit of one month’s rent, together with the first month’s rent, is normally required when contracts are signed. Gas, electricity, oil and coal are expensive in England. Except for coal and oil, which are paid for when delivered or within one month of delivery, bills are normally sent quarterly. Monthly budget plans are also available in most cases. Members who don’t use a budget plan for utilities will have to pay a large deposit. Monthly payments are made against the amount actually used and adjustments are made at the end of the year.
English electrical power is supplied at 240 volt, 50 hertz. Most American appliances, except for televisions and clocks, will operate through a transformer. However, the operation of an appliance designed to run on 60 hertz may shorten its useful life. Transformers are available in all sizes at prices ranging from $20 to $200. They can be purchased new at the base exchange or secondhand from thrift shops or departing personnel. Ensure the wattage of each appliance you wish to use is listed on the items. The size of the transformer needed depends on the number of appliances and total wattage you plan to use.
While central heating is common in many newer homes, coal fires and various other types of individual room heaters are often the only source of heat. Many Americans find it necessary to use calor gas (butane) or electric heaters to meet their heating requirements. Many landlords, however, prohibit the use of additional heaters which burn hydrocarbon fuels since they add moisture to the air and often contribute to dampness. New tenants who rent houses which already have a telephone in place may only have to pay a reconnection charge. However, where there’s no instrument the tenant normally pays the $270 installation charge. Telephone rental bills average $30 and are sent quarterly, although a monthly payment scheme is available. In addition, you’ll have to pay for each call whether local or long distance.
Some Mildenhall people buy homes and there are many possibilities available. However prices and mortgage rates are high and the real estate transactions are a bit different from those used in the states. The dollar to pound rate is constantly changing, therefore it’s wise to look carefully before entering into a contract. Local estate agents can be helpful if you want to buy a house here.
Medical care for RAF Mildenhall is provided by the 48th Medical Group, whose main hospital and facilities are at RAF Lakenheath, approximately five miles from Mildenhall. A small flight surgeons office and dental clinic annex provide acute care for active duty and flying personnel at Mildenhall.
The 48th Medical Group, with 60 beds authorized, is the largest Air Force medical facility in Europe and is the referral medical facility for all U.S. military and civilian personnel in Europe. The normal hours of operation of all clinics and administrative offices are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The emergency room and inpatient units are staffed 24 hours a day.
Active-duty military members, their dependent family members, retired military and their dependents, certain categories of DOD civilian employees, and special designees of the Secretary of Defense, are generally the only people entitled to receive care through the resources of the 48th MG. Other persons — and this includes relatives or other guests who may visit you from the States — aren’t entitled to care. U.S. government civil service employees and some other U.S. civilians are authorized medical care, but must pay a congressionally imposed fee. Rates are periodically updated. These fees are collected directly from the patient, although they are often covered by private insurance.
Questions pertaining to inpatient/outpatient fees should be directed to the cashier’s office at DSN 226-2557.
As a member of NATO forces, military members and their families are eligible for medical care from Britain’s National Health Service (dependents become eligible after 12 months in country). However, since local clinics and hospitals often have long waits for care, the military health care system is usually able to provide more timely attention. TRICARE Europe can be used for private medical care, but should be coordinated through the health benefits adviser at DSN 226-2354.
The flight surgeon’s office at Mildenhall is operated by the 48th MG and provides limited medical care for active-duty flyers and some flyers’ family members. Sick call is for flyers only and is held weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A dental clinic is located at RAF Mildenhall for active-duty members. This clinic primarily accomplishes preventative oral health care and restorative treatment.
The main dental clinic is located at RAF Lakenheath and consists of 26 dental treatment rooms. Specialties include restorative, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery. An oral surgery clinic is located within the RAF Lakenheath main hospital building.
Dental emergencies, such as those for severe pain or infection, are accepted at any time.
During non-duty hours emergency patients should report to the hospital’s emergency room at RAF Lakenheath. On a normal duty day, sick call is held at the RAF Mildenhall clinic weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Family members should be aware the Dependents Dental Plan doesn’t apply to overseas areas.
They’re encouraged to complete treatment needs through the dental plan prior to their PCS. Family members may have an annual examination scheduled by contacting the RAF Lakenheath dental clinic at DSN 226-3722 between 3 and 4:30 p.m.Follow-on appointments are made by calling the RAF Lakenheath clinic at DSN 226-1846.
Orthodontic staffing in the clinic is limited. Active treatment may be continued on a space-available basis for those who transfer during active orthodontic treatment from their previous installation, or who arrive on station in full fixed active orthodontic appliances placed by civilian sources prior to the sponsor’s written assignment notification.
For those members desiring orthodontic treatment which cannot be provided by the RAF Lakenheath facility, civilian orthodontists have practices within the nearby area and accept private patients from the U.S. Air Force communities in the United Kingdom. Members and spouses are responsible for any expenses incurred, incidental to their treatment by the civilian orthodontist. The 48th Dental Squadron, RAF Mildenhall Flight can be reached at Ext. 2537.
Routine sick call for non-flying, active-duty personnel assigned to RAF Mildenhall is held at RAF Lakenheath’s family practice clinic weekdays from 7 to 8 a.m., and 1 to 1:30 p.m. Due to other scheduled patients, late arrivals are asked to schedule an appointment.
Patients who require immediate medical care, or feel they cannot wait for sick call hours or a routine appointment, may be seen at the emergency room.
RAF Feltwell’s U.S. Army Veterinary Clinic offers the following services: Routine vaccinations, fecal examinations, dewormings and treatment of minor illnesses. A variety of flea control and health care products are also available. The clinic prefers to see animals by appointment only. Call the office at DSN 226-7097 for additional information or to schedule an appointment for the next clinic. Please note children under 12 years aren’t allowed in the clinic. There are also many veterinarian clinics in the local area which provide a full range of pet care services.
Moving to RAF Mildenhall has one thing in common with any move you might have made —
it’s going to cost you money. In some cases, a lot of it. While in England,
you’re going to have to deal with the national
currency — pound sterling — in addition to American bills and coins.
The exchange rate fluctuates, but at the time of printing $1.65 bought one pound.
It won’t take you long to discover the joys of trying to keep track of the two currencies, especially if you’re married and bringing your family with you. In most cases, you’ll be living off base for 12 to 24 months, depending upon your housing choices. Even if you’re single, there’s a chance you’ll be dealing with the local landlords. Current base policy is single E-5s and career E-4s may live off base with commander’s approval, but there is a waiting list. Rent and utilities are paid in pounds. And all those other items it takes to set up a household, like curtains and such, will more than likely require digging into the pound side of your wallet.
Living in England can be expensive. Rent averages about $600 a month. Long winters are the norm here, and if you try to keep the inside of your house on par with Tallahassee, Fla., utilities can take your breath away. But don’t despair. There’s help available in the form of extra pay designed specifically to help cover the cost of serving in England. Currently, everyone assigned to Mildenhall receives a Cost of Living Allowance.
Unlike many other Air Force bases, RAF Mildenhall has personalized its finance in-processing system. Stop by the financial services office as soon as possible after your arrival to make an appointment to sit down face-to-face with a technician who’ll provide fast and courteous service. However, during the heavy summer PCS season, it isn’t always possible to accommodate all appointments, so mass briefings are occassionally needed.
Normal hours for walk-in customers are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. You can also call the customer service line at Ext. 2565 to make an appointment. Scheduling an appointment is important because the longer you delay, the longer it will take to settle your PCS travel voucher and begin many of the unique allowances paid at this overseas location.
The purpose of COLA is to compensate the member assigned to an overseas location for the difference between the costs of certain goods and services found in the local area (i.e. food, clothing, transportation, medical) as compared to the costs for the same items stateside.
The Per Diem, Travel, Transportation and Allowance Committee conducts frequent price surveys of these goods and services, as well as members’ spending habits on the economy and in the commissary and/or base exchange to keep the COLA program current. If the prices from the overseas surveys exceed the CONUS prices, then COLA is usually warranted. When COLA is authorized, the actual entitlement the member receives is based on his/her spendable income (which is gross income minus taxes, savings, insurance, housing costs) and not base pay as most members tend to think. Rates vary based on a member’s rank, years of service, accompanied status and number of dependents residing in country. To find out what your COLA is for this area, you can go directly to the "Overseas Cost of Living Allowance" page to calculate your COLA.NOTE
: Once you're there, you must type the Lakenheath/Mildenhall LOCATION CODE "UK352" in the blank space provided to proceed with the remaining options. When you're done, choose the "back" button on your browser to return to our page. Make note of the location code (UK352) and click "I want to calculate my COLA."If you’re married and your family arrives with you, you’ll be staying in temporary quarters. To help defray temporary housing expenses, you’ll receive a Temporary Lodging Allowance. While the base has a small amount of on-base temporary facilities, most new arrivals are placed off base. TLA normally covers expenses for your room and provides a set rate for food and incidental expenses. TLA is authorized for most families in the United Kingdom and for single members if dormitory space is not available. It’s designed to offset the cost of temporary accommodation while you’re trying to find a place to live. Since on-base transient accommodations are limited, you may find yourself living initially in an off-base hotel or "bed and breakfast" (guest house).
Since TLA is not paid in advance, you should have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for the first few weeks after you arrive. Your use of TLA, and your efforts to find permanent accommodations will be carefully scrutinized. The maximum period of TLA payments is 60 days. All on- or off-base temporary quarters require payment on a 10-day basis. At that time, you must pay your bill and take the receipt to the housing office, where paperwork will be done for repayment. Your next stop to receive payment is finance where they’ll compute your lodging bill and food costs and arrange to have the money added to your next paycheck. The government charge card may also be used to pay TLA expenses.
Once you’re settled into permanent off-base quarters, you’ll begin receiving an Overseas Housing Allowance. Similar to Variable Housing Allowance found at many stateside bases, OHA is designed to offset your rent and utility costs. OHA starts once the member has occupied privately leased/rented quarters or purchased a house privately. This allowance terminates whenever the member is assigned government quarters (base housing/dormitory), or enters TLA status upon PCSing from the base. The Per Diem Committee receives rental data every six months from HQ Defense Finance Accounting Services-Denver, Colo., and updates OHA accordingly. To find out what your OHA is for this area, you can go directly to the "Overseas Housing Allowance" page to calculate your OHA.
NOTE
: Once you're there, you must type the Lakenheath/Mildenhall LOCATION CODE "UK352" in the blank space provided to proceed with the remaining options. Once you're done, choose the "back" button on your browser to return to our page. Make note of the location code (UK352) and click "I want to calculate my OHA."Determination of Official Exchange Rate for Overseas Allowances
The Per Diem Committee reviews twice a month, in conjunction with paydays, the exchange rates of countries where military members are assigned. The review is based on information provided by the State Department, military commands (i.e. USAFE, USEUCOM), the European Regional Administrative Management Centers and newspapers. If they find an imbalance, the committee’s goal is to eliminate it over an eight-week period by increasing or decreasing the exchange rate. The overall goal of the committee is to ensure members neither gain nor lose the spending power of these allowances based solely on fluctuating exchange rates.
You’ll need to do some financial planning before your move. Our estimated amount of cash needed for expenses is $2,500. This amount should cover any immediate expenses and allow you to set up your new quarters without financial difficulty. Remember, although you’ll be reimbursed for some of your costs, you must be prepared to pay for many things out of your own pocket at first.
In addition to the typical living expenses, you’ll have other expenses to bear while living in England including:
— Similar to buying license plates for your car, road tax is an annual requirement to drive on British roads. This costs £140 per year or £74 semi-annually. If you purchase a British car, you’ll have to pay this before you can drive the car off the lot. Road tax for motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles is variable. This is a mandatory requirement — it’s illegal to use a car unless it is fully taxed and insured.
— Insuring an American car can be very expensive. It can cost up to $3,000 a year for people under 25, especially if you have any tickets or claims on your policy. Insuring a British car is generally cheaper than an American car. This may be a consideration in electing to ship your car. Used British cars are readily available. Discounts are offered by some firms if you’re able to produce a "no claims" statement from your previous insurance company.
— To operate a television in the United Kingdom, you must pay an annual license fee; this is how the BBC pays for programming which is broadcast with no advertisements. A license for a color set costs £90 per year, and £30 for black and white. One color license covers all the sets you have. The BBC operates "detector vans" to find unlicensed sets. If you don’t pay the fee, it could cost up to £1,000 in fines.
— VAT is included in all your purchases, whether labor or merchandise. This is similar to sales tax in the States; however, in England, VAT is currently 17.5 percent. Even though we aren’t British subjects, we still pay VAT for any goods and services we use in this country.
There’s a bank and credit union on Mildenhall. Only the bank offers pound sterling accounts; however, you do have the option of going off base for this type of account. This can be helpful for those who live farther from base, or who buy property in England. It’s also important to note most companies and landlords here prefer payment by direct debit or standing order. This is especially true with the utility companies when pur-chasing gas, electric and cable services. Direct debit means money is deducted from your account — withdrawal times and amounts are set by you and the company specified — and sent directly to the company. A standing order is similar, only it goes directly into a payee’s account.
Community Bank offers dollar and sterling checking accounts, and dollar savings accounts. Direct debits and standing orders can be set up through their pound accounts. They have automatic teller machines at their RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath facilities. There is also an automatic teller machine located outside of the recreation center at nearby RAF Feltwell. They offer foreign currency exchange to people without accounts. It’s open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Keesler Federal
Credit Union
Keesler offers checking and savings accounts in dollars only. And you have to be a member to exchange dollars to pounds there, so keep that in mind when you arrive. The credit union has automatic teller machines next to the commissary here and at RAF Lakenheath’s base exchange. The credit union is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
RAF Mildenhall’s sports program is designed to enhance readiness and performance by providing programs which promote total fitness, esprit de corps, and quality of life for people here. The main facility is equipped to meet most peoples’ fitness needs. There’s a Nautilus and free weight room, separate aerobic and cardiovascular fitness rooms, a multi-purose basketball court and five racquetball courts.
The staff run a variety of free instructional fitness classes including step aerobics, circuit training and personal fitness assessment.
The center
operates many outdoor facilities including two softball fields, four tennis courts, a
running trail through Woodlands Park and a lighted football/soccer field. Intramural
programs offered include basketball, softball, tennis, racquetball, soccer, flag football,
golf, bowling, badminton and darts. These free leagues are co-ed and open to all
Department of Defense employees and their families.
The sports center is open weekdays from 5 a.m. to midnight, and weekends and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. A trained staff is available to assist with your sports and physical fitness needs. For more information, call Ext. 2349.
The outdoor recreation office offers the following activities:
The staff can organize private group bookings for any outdoor activity, and has information on equipment and venue locations. They also sell memberships to various organizations such as the National Trust and Youth Hostel Association, as well as fishing licenses. They sponsor outdoor activity clubs in rockclimbing, cycling and canoeing. If you would like to join a club to meet other like-minded peole, call Ext. 4283.
Outdoor recreation manages two park and picnic areas on base, which include pavilions, barbecue grills, children’s play equipment and open grass areas. The hours of operation are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Ext. 4283.
Recreation supply offers a wide variety of equipment for rent, including:
Summer operating hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday).
Winter operating hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call Ext. 2694.
RAF Lakenheath has the only Air Force golf course in the United Kingdom. The nine-hole course features 18 separate tee boxes and is open seven days a week. A driving range, lessons, and monthly tournaments are all available. Wednesday morning is reserved for ladies, with tournaments every weekend. The clubhouse features a snack bar, fully stocked pro shop, lockers and changing rooms. Pull or power carts and clubs may be rented. The course is open to all military members and their families, civil service employees, and civilians under contract to the military. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are in effect from April 1 to Sept. 30. Winter hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RAF Lakenheath also offers the Rod and Gun Club, which has four skeet ranges and a trap range for its members and their guests. Although shooting, especially skeet, is associated with the club, there are also active darts, archery, fishing and walkers’ programs. For the true hunting enthusiast, the club offers hunting on a 4,500-acre lease.
On the social side, there’s a Country & Western dance club on Wednesdays, and live bands are featured both Friday and Saturday nights most weeks. The snack bar is an increasingly popular place for lunch and is open to all military and civilian personnel and their families. Members get 10 percent off food prices. The pro shop is fully stocked with hunting and fishing equipment and a full range of darts and accessories. The Rod and Gun Club is located just off the main base and the phone number is DSN 226-2368.
Located next to the Child Development Center, the youth center offers before and after school care as well as activities to family members ages 5 to 18. Among the activities are trips, tours, discos, and social events. Only children 9 and older can take part in the center’s open recreation program. A youth sports program is offered through the center where the emphasis is placed on participation. During the summer, a day camp program is conducted for 6- to 12-year-olds. Reservations must be made well in advance for this program as there’s always a waiting list.
During the school term, the center runs a program which provides for children 5 through 12 with working parents. The before school program includes breakfast. After school, children return to the center for a snack and structured activities geared for their age group, including crafts, games, and outside activities. Full day care, including breakfast, lunch and snack, is offered during school vacations.
The center also offers dance classes, karate, gymnastics, and many other activities based on interest and availability of instructors. Pool, ping-pong tables, classrooms, a selection of computers with educational software, and a dance area are available for the children to use.
The Bob Hope Community Activities Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight, houses a comfortable TV lounge with a 100-inch TV screen, a ballroom with a large stage and dressing rooms, games room with four pool tables, a full-size snooker table and table tennis. Also available is a music room which can be used to practice piano or by vocal and instrumental groups.
Calls to the United States or anywhere in the world can easily be placed between 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. from one of the community activities center’s seven telephone booths Payment for phone calls may be made after completing the call, or calls may be billed collect. A facsimile service is available for a small charge plus the cost of the time used to send the copy.
The center hosts tournaments, arts and crafts fairs, antique and collectors fairs and talent contests. DOD Shows, providing entertainment ranging from rock ’n roll to murder mystery, are scheduled monthly. United Service Organizations’ shows featuring named artists are a regular feature. The center also hosts annual events such as the chili cook-off, family day, children between 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.s day, international food festival and dog show.
A balloon service is the newest addition to the community activities center. You can purchase a variety of balloon designs and coordinating gifts for pick up or delivery
Tickets
and Tours 
Located next to the community activities center, the tickets and tours office offers a range of tours here and to Europe. Popular tours include the London guided tour and trips to historic castles and stately homes. In addition to tours, the office has a range of brochures and information on places to visit. You can also buy commercial bus, concert and theater tickets at the office. Commercial bus schedules, together with the Mildenhall-Lakenheath shuttle bus service schedules are also available.
Soham
Travel, located within the tours office, offers a wide range of holidays, short breaks and
flights to all corners of the world, as well as short breaks in the United Kingdom. The
number is (01638) 713977. The tours office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and
on holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed Saturday and Sunday. For more
information on tickets and tours, call Ext. 4103.
The framing and engraving shop offers a wide selection of timber and metal frame moldings to enhance items such as family photos and paintings. The staff here also custom engraves metal plaques, nameplates, office signs and other items to meet your personalized needs. Look for an expanded service of glass and porcelain tankards engraving soon. They also provide a heat sealing service. The shop, located on the secure side of base and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
The 12-lane bowling center is a modern facility located near the dorms and the Galaxy Club. Recently upgraded, the center is fitted with Brunswick pinsetters and overhead automatic scorers, ensuring first-class bowling entertainment. The center is complete with its own snack bar which seats more than 50 people, and offers a menu of grilled food, snacks and a variety of beverages. The bowling center has locker and game rooms with videos and pinball machines, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and holidays from 1 to 8 p.m. The flightline food cube, operated by the bowling center, caters primarily to the needs of military members who don’t have time to go to the club for lunch. The food cube is located on the north side of the airfield. Hours of operation are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The enlisted club complex is two separate facilities: The Galaxy Club for enlisted members and Marauder Sports Lounge which is open to all ranks. A new club is currently under construction.
The Galaxy Club, located near 3rd Air Force headquarters in Bldg. 449, is known for the variety of entertainment and name artists which have appeared there. The dining room offers full service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Specials are offered daily. A main feature of the Galaxy Club is the games room, offering the latest in slot machines. Large and small parties may be booked through the catering department. The club also offers check cashing, sterling conversion, charge privileges, entertainment, and special events each month for members such as Membership and Family Nights.
The Marauder Sports Lounge is located next to the community activities center.
Multiple large screen televisions and cable ensures viewing of the latest and best sporting events. The most extensive collection of state-of-the-art amusement machines on base is also located here. Families are welcome, but minors aren’t allowed in the facility after 9 p.m.
The officers’ club offers the most successful all-ranks Sunday brunch in the United Kingdom. You can also enjoy a meal weekdays in the Tudor Bar. The club is conveniently located for special events such as conferences, wedding receptions and official squadron functions. In addition, the Waterford gift store in the club offers crystal, china and many other gift items.
Auto Center
The Auto Skills Development Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s staffed by experienced mechanics and has 10 bays including a welding bay, battery charger room, electric lift and an extensive supply of tools - both standard and metric. Tire changing, tune-ups and overhauls can be performed in addition to brake work and oil changes. Specialized equipment includes valve grinders, a brake drum lathe, a wheel balancer, a Sun engine analyzer, and a Hunter four-wheel alignment machine. The center also has portable, 220-volt compressors available for checkout.
A small retail store supplies common items, engine oil and antifreeze. The manager can special order parts as well, with a same day delivery service for spares on most Japanese and European cars.
A towing and recovery service is provided on and off base for a reasonable charge, which is lower than commercial rates. Call Ext. 2480 for assistance. The center can also steam clean your barbecue sets and handle lawn mower repairs and overhauls.
Automatic Car Wash — The car wash, operated by the Auto Skills Development Center, is located next to the base service station and takes pound coins. A multi-program wand wash housed at the auto center takes tokens which may be purchased at the clubs, community activities center, sports store and auto shop. An Auto Valet Service is available by appointment.
The library is open seven days a week and presents a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere.
In addition to a conference room, reading lounge and education room, there’s a quiet study hall which seats up to 25 people. You’ll find more than 15,000 volumes covering adult and juvenile subjects on the shelves here as well as a special children’s section.
A journal section
stocks British newspapers, magazines, American Sunday newspapers and more than 55 American
magazines.
You’ll also discover an audiovisual collection of books on tape and videos, as well as more than 1,000 music CDs.
Two rooms in the library are set aside for customer
accessable computers. You can use the computers for word processing, spread sheets and
limited graphic access. It also has two stand-alone CD-ROM computers with a variety of
programs and a five-station CD-ROM local area network for researching magazines,
newspapers and other CD-ROM products. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10
a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.;
and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.
Processing In 
Family Day Care
