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CAAB
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CAAB
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CAAB Report 175 |
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Saturday 24 September 2005
Lindis Percy had been speaking at the
annual demonstration at USAF Croughton which was organised by Oxford
Peace Campaign. After the demonstration she went to research USAF
Fairford.
At the moment the base is being used by RAF
Brize Norton as the runway is being redeveloped. USAF Fairford is
very busy. CAAB was present and openly on the base for
nearly two hours.
Over the years, USAF Fairford has
been extensively developed. The base is home to the US
424th Air Base Squadron. The Pentagon chose USAF Fairford
because of its strategic location and infrastructure. Alternatives
to USAF Fairford, such as Moron and Zaragoza in Spain were also a
possibility but not chosen because of potential local opposition
Fairford is now designated as a forward
operating base for the U.S. bomber fleet. During the
invasion of Iraq, 2,000 US personnel and 14 B-52 bombers
arrived at USAF Fairford. B-52 bombers flew from USAF Fairford to
bomb Iraq. The base was then put in 'mothballs' to await the next US
crisis.
The runway (£60m or US$90m) and
fuel bunkers have been upgraded as a base for long-range Stealth
bombers. Two climate-controlled permanent hangers were unveiled in
December 2004 for the B-2 Spirit (Stealth bomber). The base was
also was designated as a trans-Atlantic abort' landing site for the Space
Shuttle because of the length of its runway.
Just before leaving USAF Fairford on Saturday
night, Lindis Percy was again issued with a s.69 warning
not to return on base within 3 months ('aggravated trespass' - Criminal
Justice and Public Order Act 1994) by a Ministry of Defence Police Agency
officer. This Act is increasingly being used against peaceful
protesters.
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Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy
Joint Co-ordinators
CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB)
8 Park Row, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1HQ, England, U.K.
Tel/fax no: +44 (0)1943 466405 0R +44 (0)1482 702033
email: anniandlindis@caab.org.uk or
caab@btclick.com
Website: http://www.caabuk.plus.com
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever
does." Margaret Mead
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