Monument record 7470/1 - Molesworth Airfield

{1} USAF's post war presence in Britain began in 1948 in response to Soviet blockade of Berlin. By 1953 it was agreed that USAF could operate from up to 43 bases in the UK including airfields. There has been a decline in numbers, especially from 1987, with the signing of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty and subsequently the end of the Cold War in 1989. Flying activity is now confined to 2 main bases, RAF's Mildenhall and Lakenheath with the occasional use of RAF Fairford.

The MPP report list of principal airfields in the 1950/60s in England includes Chelveston: occupied 1955-62 by SAC. In addition Molesworth was in use 1951-57; igloos present. Molesworth also in use by the USAF in the 1980s with cruise missiles; the base is still active.

<1> Cocroft W.D., 2001, Cold War Monuments: An Assessment by the Monuments Protection Programme, (unchecked) (Report). SNN101426.

Record last edited

Aug 31 2010 9:50AM