Weapons Inspectors denied access to USAF Fairford

Early on 31st October 2002 the newly formed Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors approached the gates of USAF Fairford In Gloucestershire. After highlighting the double standards of the US and Britian in demanding inspections in Iraq whilst pursuing their own WMD programmes they asked for admission to inspect the base. This was refused and the inspectors were forced to retreat accompanied by a police escort all the way back to Stroud. The GWL left a clear message at the base saying "we will be back". Find out more about the this action and follow the progress of the Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors at www.gwi.org.uk

This action, in support of the "Don't Attack Iraq" national day of action, was the first of a series of theatrical actions planned by the group who describe themselves as an informal collection of concerned citizens. The objective is to highlight the presence in Gloucestershire of an agressive foreign power and to raise public opposition to this presence.

USAF Fairford is one of only three worldwide forward bases for B-2 Stealth bombers. Aircraft flying from USAF Fairford dropped 48% of all the bombs used during the Kosovo war and since then the base had a one hundred million pound refurbishment. This is the largest single NATO expenditure since the end of the Cold War. Fairford can now hold up to 30 B-2 bombers, effectively doubling the strike force deployed during the Kosovo war. In tests the B-2 has successfully released B-61 and B-83 mini-nuclear weapons. The B61-11 is an earth-penetrating bomb for use against deeply buried and hardened targets (like Saddam's bunkers). The B83 is a strategic free-fall nuclear bomb. These are the first of the new generation of "more usable" nuclear bombs being developed in the USA.

On Wednesday 30th October the BBC news website reports that according to a US Airforce official B-2 Stealth bombers are being deployed closer to the Gulf region - in the Indian ocean island of Diego Garcia and in Britain (that means Fairford). So Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors are concerend that there are good odds that the next nuclear bomb used in anger will be dropped from a Fairford bomber. As Lt Jake Martinez of the base points out "Our mission here is to receive and deploy bombers. It's the whole point of our existence" and yet, amazingly, most of the locals regard it an air display themepark.

For more information and photos see - www.gwi.org.uk