US Air Force security personnel and Ministry of Defence Police officers have carried out a joint active-shooter exercise at RAF Mildenhall, testing combined response procedures and post-incident coordination.
The drill, held on November 13, brought together Airmen from the 100th Security Forces Squadron and UK law enforcement counterparts to rehearse crisis management, joint communication and protective actions under simulated high-stress conditions.
Officials described the event as part of a continuing effort to maintain a unified security posture at one of the United States’ key operating bases in the UK. Exercises of this type are used to validate shared protocols, strengthen interoperability between the 100th Air Refuelling Wing and MOD Police, and ensure both forces can respond quickly to threats affecting personnel, facilities and mission operations.
The base
RAF Mildenhall hosts several United States Air Force units that support operations across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East. The largest is the 100th Air Refueling Wing, which operates KC135R aircraft and is responsible for providing air refuelling to allied forces. The base includes associated maintenance, logistics, and fuel handling facilities that allow the wing to sustain regular long range tanker sorties.
The station also houses the 352nd Special Operations Wing. This unit operates MC130J and CV22 aircraft used for infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces. Its presence requires dedicated secure areas, training ranges, and mission planning infrastructure, along with specialised maintenance capability tailored to its fleet. Intelligence and communications units provide further support to both wings.
In addition to flying units the base contains a range of support organisations. These include medical services, security forces, and communications squadrons, along with housing, administrative offices, and contractor facilities.
