p.53-94 (pdf) - Natural Resources Defense Council
p.53-94 (pdf) - Natural Resources Defense Council
p.53-94 (pdf) - Natural Resources Defense Council
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Appendix C U.S. Nuclear Weapons, Location Profiles, CONTINUED<br />
on September 26, 1950. When the base was formally transferred to SAC on April 28, 1951, it was placed<br />
under the 3909th ABG, which was activated May 16, 1951. The 3909th moved to RAF Greenham Common<br />
in 1954 and was replaced by the 3910th ABG, redesignated a Combat Support Group (CSG) on<br />
January 1, 1959 and inactivated January 1, 1960. SAC returned RAF Lakenheath to USAFE control on<br />
October 1, 1959 as part of Operation “Red Richard,” and the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) arrived<br />
from Chaumont AB in France on January 15, 1960.<br />
Lakenheath has always been the primary and most important tactical nuclear bombing base in<br />
Europe, hosting long-range F-111 fighter bomber aircraft through the early 1990’s, and today, hosting<br />
the F-15E Strike Eagle. The Weapon Storage and Security System (WS3) vaults at Lakenheath<br />
reached initial operational capability on November 19, 19<strong>94</strong>. Thirty-three are operational.<br />
The 48th Fighter Wing received two USAF nuclear surety plaques in 19<strong>94</strong>, one “for demonstrating<br />
outstanding capability to support a nuclear airlift mission” and the other “for distinguished performance.”<br />
The Wing again received a USAF Nuclear Surety Plaque in 1995 for “outstanding<br />
achievements” and “contributions” to nuclear security. That year, an officer within the 48th Equipment<br />
Maintenance Squadron received the USAF Lt. General Leo Marquez Award for outstanding<br />
munitions maintenance. The citation stated that the officer “led the squadron and wing to an `Excellent’<br />
rating on their Joint <strong>Defense</strong> Nuclear Agency and Headquarters United States Air Forces in<br />
Europe Nuclear Surety Inspection and then initiated a cross-functional wing working group to address<br />
the wing’s conversion to the Weapons Storage and Security System.” In 1996, the Wing was<br />
again recognized when it won the Department of <strong>Defense</strong> Phoenix Award as the most exceptional<br />
maintenance unit in the DOD. The Wing is scheduled to receive its next functional inspection from May 4-<br />
12, 1998.<br />
80 TAKING STOCK
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