I wish to raise a voice in protest at the arrival of American weapons of war, including nuclear war, as representing anything other than US pursue of power for the benefit of the US people. I do not call it an “upgrade” to prepare RAF Fairford to be a better platform for the US to pursue its global military agenda. “Rapid airfield damage repair” facilities’, really? The implication is that some species of damage would be inflicted on RAF Fairford, so who exactly are they expecting/preparing for to have attack the base?

Thank you Standard for confirming the sinister hum that I suspected was a B-2 bomber, the latest arrival in a long, tragic list of planes used for war in pursuit of American political objectives. While Biden is a solid improvement on the previous incumbent, his Secretary of State recently spelled out a US foreign policy not dissimilar to Trump’s America First policies. All US international policies will be filtered through the prism of US national self-interest was the stated US plan as it has always been.

Okay, so the local economy gets a little boost in the Fairford area. I can think of better ways of spending £290 million pounds to benefit the whole of the Cotswolds, not just the local economy of Fairford and American global power projection. I genuinely like Joe Biden, but I can’t also help, but notice that most American wars are started under Democratic US Presidents. Even Bill Clinton had his Kosovo war where B-1 bombers flew from RAF Fairford to cut the power supplies to Belgrade in a clear act of terrorism by NATO forces in 1999.

Can I also draw your attention to the implication of “munitions storage facility”. Yes, it is guns and explosives, ready for American use. Not even the Gloucestershire Constabulary has authority over what happens on the RAF Fairford site, and even though a U-2 Spy plane may not carry ordinance, it is still a dangerous beast. This is both for the victims of detailed battlefield mapping, thus improving artillery fire dramatically, like in the mid-90’s when RAF Fairford provided intelligence to Croatia, but also the US pilot who gave his life in a U-2 to ensure his crashing plane would not hit an inhabited area. However, because the mission was classified, and probably contrary to international law, there is no monument or memorial for the airman whose name I don’t even know.

B-2 Stealth Bombers do not make us safer, nor protect us in any way. They are not welcome here.

James Derieg

Kemble