RAF Fairford

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Installation Type: Air Base
Status: Active

Overview

RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire, England, operated primarily by the United States Air Force under a lease arrangement dating back to the 1950s. The installation serves as a forward operating location and surge base for the USAF, most notably supporting heavy bomber deployments of B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft. Although it maintains only a small permanent party contingent, it plays a strategically significant role in transatlantic bomber task force missions and NATO operations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Forward operating location and surge base supporting U.S. Air Force global strike and bomber task force operations, including temporary deployments of B-2 and B-52 bombers.
Major Units: 501st Combat Support Wing (detachment presence; headquartered at RAF Alconbury); no permanently assigned flying wing at Fairford — the base operates on a rotational/surge basis.
Tenant Units: Various temporary duty (TDY) units deploying for exercises and operations; RAF has nominal administrative presence.

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Swindon, approximately 18 miles east; Bristol, approximately 35 miles southwest; London, approximately 80 miles east.
Nearest Commercial Airport: Bristol Airport (BRS), approximately 40 miles; Birmingham Airport (BHX), approximately 65 miles.
Gate Access: Access is controlled by the 501st Combat Support Wing security forces. CAC required for base access. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass from the visitor control center. Gate hours vary; call ahead to confirm current access procedures.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 100-200 permanent party (small cadre; surges significantly during exercises and deployments)
Family Members: Very limited — most permanent party personnel are unaccompanied or accompanied with limited family support infrastructure
Civilian Employees: Small number of U.S. and UK civilian contractor personnel
Total Installation Population: Not publicly available; expands considerably during TDY rotations

Key Facilities

Medical: Limited medical support on site; primary care referred to RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Medical Group or local NHS (National Health Service) facilities in Gloucestershire.
Commissary: No permanent commissary — temporary commissary access may be arranged during large exercises; personnel typically shop at local UK supermarkets or travel to RAF Lakenheath for full commissary access.
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): No full-service BX — small retail/convenience capability may be available during surges; full BX access at RAF Lakenheath.
Fitness & Recreation: Basic fitness facility available for permanent party and TDY personnel.
Schools: No DoDEA school on base — dependent children attend local UK schools in the Fairford/Cirencester area or may be enrolled in DoDEA schools at RAF Lakenheath.
Childcare: No Child Development Center (CDC) on base — arrangements through local UK childcare or via RAF Lakenheath.
Veterinary Services: No on-base veterinary clinic — nearest USAF veterinary services at RAF Lakenheath.
Legal Assistance / JAG: No permanent JAG office — legal assistance provided through 48th Fighter Wing Legal Office at RAF Lakenheath; appointment required.

Housing

On-Base Housing: Very limited on-base housing; primarily used by permanent party cadre. Housing is managed through the 501st Combat Support Wing.
Average Wait Time: Not publicly available; most permanent party personnel live off-base in local communities.
Off-Base Housing: Nearby towns include Fairford, Cirencester, Lechlade, and South Cerney. Average rent for a 3-bedroom property in the area ranges from approximately GBP 1,000 to GBP 1,600 per month.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the 501st Combat Support Wing Airman & Family Readiness Center or unit orderly room to request a sponsor prior to arrival.
In-Processing: Report to the 501st Combat Support Wing in-processing center. Given the small permanent party, in-processing is coordinated closely with the unit and may involve travel to RAF Alconbury or RAF Lakenheath for some services.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through RAF Lakenheath’s A&FRC; families with special needs should enroll through their losing installation prior to PCS and coordinate with gaining unit well in advance given limited support infrastructure at Fairford.

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: Personnel serve under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which governs the legal status of U.S. military members and their dependents in the United Kingdom. The U.S.-UK bilateral agreement supplements NATO SOFA provisions.
Host Nation Rules: UK law applies off base. Personnel must obey all UK laws including traffic laws (drive on the left). Firearms regulations in the UK are extremely restrictive — privately owned firearms are generally prohibited for U.S. personnel off base. Alcohol purchases require proof of age (18+ in the UK).
Curfew Policy: No installation-wide curfew for adults as of the most recent available information, but individual unit commanders may impose curfews. Minors on base are subject to a curfew; check with the installation for current policy.
Ration Card / Customs: The UK has no ration card system. Personnel may purchase duty-free goods through AAFES and DLA Troop Support channels. Customs rules apply when bringing goods into the UK — limits on alcohol, tobacco, and other goods must be followed. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) rules govern importation.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: U.S. personnel may drive in the UK on a valid U.S. driver’s license for up to 12 months. After 12 months, a UK driving license may be required. Vehicles must be registered with the installation provost marshal/vehicle registration office. USAFE Form 94 (Operator’s Permit for U.S. Forces in the UK) is required for driving on British roads. Vehicles must meet UK/EU roadworthiness standards; left-hand drive vehicles are permitted but less practical given UK road layout.
Language & Culture: English is the primary language. Cultural differences are generally minor but include queuing etiquette, pub culture, and differing public holiday schedules. The UK uses the metric system for most purposes but retains miles for road distances.
Currency & Banking: British Pound Sterling (GBP). On-base banking options are limited at Fairford — personnel are advised to use a U.S. bank with low international fees (e.g., USAA, Navy Federal) or open a local UK bank account. ATMs are available in nearby Fairford and Cirencester.
Travel Restrictions: No general travel restrictions within the UK. Travel to EU/Schengen countries requires a valid U.S. passport. Personnel must comply with leave and pass policies set by their unit commander. Travel to certain countries may require command notification or approval.
Mail: APO address: Use the assigned APO AE ZIP code for the unit. Mail is routed through the USAF mail system; delivery times from the U.S. typically range from 1 to 2 weeks. Packages via USPS Military Mail (Priority Mail) generally arrive faster than parcel post.
Pets: The UK has strict pet import rules. Under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), pets must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have a valid animal health certificate (AHC) issued by an accredited vet. As of post-Brexit rules, the EU Pet Passport is no longer valid for entry into the UK; a UK-specific AHC is required. There is no mandatory quarantine if all requirements are met. Certain breeds are prohibited under the UK Dangerous Dogs Act (e.g., Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro).

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate maritime climate — mild but frequently overcast and rainy. Winters are cool (average 2-7 degrees Celsius) and summers are mild (average 15-22 degrees Celsius). Snow is infrequent.
Cost of Living: Moderate for rural Gloucestershire — significantly less expensive than London. GBP exchange rates affect purchasing power for dollar-paid personnel.
Nearby Attractions: The Cotswolds region offers scenic English countryside villages, walking trails, and historic market towns such as Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water. Cirencester, one of Britain’s most complete Roman towns, is approximately 8 miles away. Stonehenge is approximately 40 miles to the south.
Spouse Employment: Limited on-base employment opportunities given the small installation size. Local UK employment is available in the Cirencester and Swindon areas. SOFA provisions allow military spouses to work in the UK without a separate work visa. The RAF Lakenheath A&FRC can provide employment assistance resources.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.usafe.af.mil (no dedicated public website for RAF Fairford — administered under 501st CSW/USAFE)
Main Installation Phone: +44 (0)1285 713000 (RAF Fairford switchboard — verify current number with installation)
MWR Website: Not publicly available — contact the installation directly
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center managed through 501st Combat Support Wing; for full A&FRC services, contact RAF Lakenheath A&FRC at DSN 226-2233 or +44 (0)1638-52-2233

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: USAFE official website (usafe.af.mil), 501st Combat Support Wing public affairs, NATO SOFA documentation, UK Home Office pet travel scheme guidance, UK DVLA driver licensing information, DoDEA school locator; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law