According to two British news reports, the US Air Force will draw down uniformed airmen and US civilian personnel at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The UK Ministry of Defence said the drawdown will also affect some 100 British citizens. The BBC reports that the US will keep Fairford on its designated standby list of bases that it can use within 24 to 48 hours notice. Fairford served as a staging base for B-52 bombers. (This Is Gloucester report)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.