November 23rd 2024.
RAF Lakenheath is a crucial military base in Europe for the United States. In the event of an attack, it is highly likely that it would be one of the first targets for Russia. This was made even more evident when a group of unidentified drones were spotted flying over three airbases in the UK, including RAF Lakenheath, which is known to store nuclear warheads.
The sightings, which occurred between November 20 and 22, caused tension for the British and American forces stationed at these bases. There is speculation that the drones may have been operated by a hostile entity, but this has not been confirmed. This comes at a sensitive time, as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently threatened to strike military targets in the UK after Ukraine launched missiles into Russian territory with the support of the UK and US.
Putin has also made changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, allowing for the use of nuclear weapons in response to conventional strikes supported by other nuclear powers. This has raised concerns about the safety of RAF Lakenheath, as it has been identified as a potential target in the event of a direct missile attack on the UK. This is due to the fact that the base is set to house US nuclear warheads, which are more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, for the first time in 15 years.
Aside from its role in nuclear operations, RAF Lakenheath is also home to the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, which includes F-15 and F-35A fighter jets. This makes the base a crucial player in any potential military operations in Europe by the US or NATO.
There have been reports of F-15E Strike Eagles being deployed to chase the drones, but the US Air Force has not confirmed this. They have, however, stated that they have the right to protect their installation and have actively monitored the situation to ensure the safety of base residents and critical infrastructure. The US Army base in New Jersey has also reported sightings of drones this week, and the incident is currently under FBI investigation.
Plans to store nuclear warheads at RAF Lakenheath were revealed earlier this year, causing concern among experts. Hans Kristensen from the Federation of American Scientists warned that this could make the base a bigger target in a conflict with Russia, as it is known that having nuclear weapons on a base increases its likelihood of being targeted.
The escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine have also raised fears of a potential nuclear confrontation. North Korean troops have been amassing at the Ukrainian border, marking a change in their role in the conflict. Instead of supplying weapons to Russia, as they have done in the past, they are now positioning themselves closer to the action. This has prompted the UK and US to revise their conditions for supplying weapons to Ukraine, allowing them to target military and defense industry sites within Russian territory.
In response to this, Russia fired an experimental hypersonic missile at a rocket factory in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Initial fears that this could be a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile were later dismissed. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and accused Russia of using weapons from other countries, such as Iran and North Korea, to fuel their aggression. The situation remains tense, with both sides on high alert.
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