No US nukes in Britain!

The British government continues to ignore public concerns over the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain.

It is believed that B61-12 nuclear bombs were deployed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk in July, which would mean US nuclear weapons are on British soil for the first time since 2008.

CND opposes their return – the deployment of these bombs in Britain makes us a target in any potential nuclear conflict involving the US and must be stopped.

RAF Lakenheath previously hosted US nuclear weapons for more than five decades, first arriving in September 1954. Following years of protesting led by CND, the nuclear weapons were eventually removed in 2008, but not before nuclear accidents endangered the local community.

Despite being called an RAF station, Lakenheath is run by the US Air Force. With around 6,000 personnel on the base, it is the largest deployment of USAF personnel in Britain. Lakenheath hosts F-35A nuclear-capable fighter jets, which are compatible with the B61 nuclear bomb. B61 warheads are already deployed by the US at other European bases.

US nuclear weapons based here makes the UK once again a forward nuclear base for the US, marking a major increase in NATO’s capacity to wage nuclear war in Europe. Their return will increase global tensions and put Britain on the front line in a NATO/Russia war.

Having US nuclear weapons here in the UK undermines our safety by making a nuclear attack on us more likely. In a nuclear conflict, it is probable that Lakenheath would be targeted, followed by strikes on cities across the country.

CND calls on the UK government to refuse to host American nuclear weapons in this country. The US should also withdraw all their other nuclear weapons from Europe. A withdrawal of all US/NATO nuclear weapons from Europe would help reduce tensions at this dangerous time and would significantly contribute to taking forward nuclear disarmament internationally.