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The demand for more transparency from the government regarding the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk has been voiced by campaigners. A specialized C-17A Globemaster transporter, capable of carrying heavy loads, was tracked flying over 4,400 miles from New Mexico to the UK base last week. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address the situation and provide clarity on the reported deployment. Both the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Ministry of Defence refrained from commenting on the matter.
In a move that raised concerns, flight tracking data showed the aircraft journeyed from the US to the UK, hinting at a potential shift involving nuclear weapons. Last year, the US Department of Defence hinted at preparations being made at RAF Lakenheath to accommodate and safeguard nuclear weapons, as indicated by documents regarding the construction of defensive shelters for an imminent nuclear mission. This potential deployment would mark the first time since 2008 that nuclear weapons have been stationed at Lakenheath, home to the 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing, where F-35A Lightning II jets have been tested for carrying the B61-12 thermonuclear bomb.
Former NATO arms control expert William Alberque speculated that the tracked aircraft likely carried B61-12 nuclear bombs, emphasizing the perceived intentional nature of the movement. Alberque, now associated with The Pacific Forum, highlighted indicators suggesting the presence of nuclear weapons on the aircraft, citing details like ‘hot weapons’ pad loading and in-flight air refuelling over the Atlantic. Suffolk-based aviation analyst Roger Smith also noted signs pointing to a potential nuclear payload, with the aircraft’s journey starting in Washington State and involving a visit to the USAF’s Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base.
As reports regarding the possible delivery of nuclear bombs surfaced, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) stressed the importance of a formal statement from the prime minister to address these significant changes in the UK’s security landscape. CND Chairman Tom Unterrainer emphasized the need for a transparent and democratic discussion on the matter within Parliament. However, both the Ministry of Defence and a US Department of Defense official reiterated the long-standing policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at specific locations, adding further complexity to the situation
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