RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing will conduct a Combat Readiness Exercise (CRE) from Monday, Aug. 25, through Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. This regularly scheduled training event is critical to ensuring the 48th Fighter Wing is prepared to meet its collective defense obligations alongside UK and NATO partners.

This exercise will simulate real-world operating conditions to validate readiness across a range of mission areas. During this period, community members may observe an increase in base activity and hear various sounds associated with training events.

What to expect:

• Use of pyrotechnics, blank ammunition rounds, and “Giant Voice” loudspeakers will occur during day and nighttime hours.

• Use of a noise cannon during daylight hours only.

• Security Forces will conduct force-on-force training, including blank-firing weapons and drone operations inside the base perimeter, both day and night.

• No night flying is planned, but daytime flight operations will occur; flight activity will be limited during the Aug. 25 bank holiday to reduce noise and impact to the local community.

Standard base access remains unchanged. Personnel, including local nationals with authorized base access, may see Airmen in military protective gear as part of exercise scenarios. Expect increased movement and potential traffic delays between RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell, including during night hours.

The 48th Fighter Wing is committed to minimizing disruptions to the local community while ensuring our forces are fully prepared for any contingency. We appreciate the ongoing understanding and support of our neighbors in our local communities.