Are There Any U.S. Navy Bases in the UK?
Yes, there are U.S. Navy bases in the UK. One notable example is the FISCS Det Mildenhall, also formerly known as NAF Naval Air Facility Mildenhall. It is collocated at RAF Mildenhall, providing a prime example of a combined services base.
Combined Services Base at RAF Mildenhall
FISCS Det Mildenhall is part of a larger complex that includes several branches of the U.S. military. It is accompanied by USAF Third Air Forces, the 100th Air Refueling Wing (100th ARW), and headquarters of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, the 352nd Special Operations Wing, and the Air Combat Command's Sixteenth Air Forces and the 55th Wing and 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing. This combination of services highlights the collaborative nature of military operations on British soil.
No U.S. Navy Bases in Britain or Ireland
It's worth noting that while there are U.S. Air Force bases in the UK, there are no U.S. Navy (USN) or Army bases located in Britain or Ireland. U.S. military organizations and personnel are welcome to visit, and U.S. Navy ships may occasionally dock at Royal Navy (RN) bases, especially for supporting NATO operations. Other friendly nations like NATO Commonwealth partners may also have visits from U.S. military vessels.
The Submarine Base at Holy Loch, Dunoon, Scotland
One significant U.S. military presence in the UK was the submarine base at Holy Loch in Dunoon, Scotland. The base served as a critical hub for U.S. Navy submarines during the Cold War. However, after the Cold War ended, the U.S. military withdrew, leaving the local area economically strained. The departure of American personnel at the base led to protests, with banners reading "Yanks Go Home." Today, you can still find grand houses in the area for very affordable prices.
The Holy Loch site has a storied history, and the ongoing protests and economic challenges provide a poignant reminder of the complex ties between the U.S. and the UK. Outside of Holy Loch, there are no permanent U.S. Navy installations in the UK. The Royal Navy retains its own submarine bases, such as the one at Faslane, where ScotUK continues to face economic and political pressures with the Scottish Nationalists advocating for independence and EU integration. However, a significant portion of the U.K.'s naval might, including a substantial number of jobs, rests on the bases in Scotland, including Rosyth in the east.
While the U.S. Navy is not present in the UK, the relationship between the U.S. and the Royal Navy remains strong, both in terms of defense cooperation and shared historical legacy. The impact of U.S. military presence, both past and present, continues to shape the geography and economy of the U.K.