GUARDS PROTECTING 'DEATH MACHINES' AT RAF BASE


10:30 - 04 March 2003

There's a security clampdown surrounding RAF Fairford after the first B52s arrival.

County police have invoked hard-line powers to stop-and-search anyone within a mile radius of the perimeter fence at RAF Fairford. And dozens of National Guardsmen have been brought in to beef up the security at the airbase.

Another four bombers were expected to arrive today.

But, as the American planes landed yesterday, peace protesters holding a vigil outside the base labelled them "death machines" and vowed to continue their protests.

Protest leader David Cockcroft threatened that anti-war activists would carry on trying to infiltrate the RAF Fairford fence and trespass onto the NATO base out of "sheer fury" at what was happening.

"There are going to be protests all the time, make no mistake," he said.

"People are going to try to break security at various points in time.

"That won't be a pre-planned thing. It'll just be a natural reaction to the disgusting sight of these planes on our land."

But, speaking from Washington, Major Timothy Blair told The Citizen: "The National Guard members we have in England have very clear security arrangements in place but they wouldn't be prepared to disclose that in advance.

"Rest assured they will guard this base thoroughly, in co-ordination with base officials.

"All I will say on this matter is it is common knowledge that trespassing is outlawed."

Mr Cockcroft said peace protesters would continue to act in the name of their cause until they "drive this foreign occupier from our land".

Fellow protester Martin Whiteside said: "I'm very concerned about the National Guard coming here to police our country. I'm furious these planes have landed here. It looks like they're starting a war by stealth, without any intention of listening to the opposition to it. We must not let them do it."

RAF Fairford is a NATO-designated standby base and is shared with the United States Air Force.

As in the 1991 Gulf War, the bombers will use Fairford as a launch pad to undertake bombing raids against Iraqi military targets like factories, power stations and Government headquarters.

Gloucestershire military expert Air Vice Marshal Professor Tony Mason said the county would be the central launching pad for George W. Bush's action against Saddam Hussein within a fortnight.

"RAF Fairford is now the most important forward US base in the UK," said Mr Mason, who advises MPs in the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence.

"B52s can operate from here without refuelling, depending on weight of the load that they're carrying and the conditions they're travelling in.

"This means a significant part of the war, if one takes place, will now be launched from Gloucestershire.

"I'd expect as many as two dozen B52 planes to arrive as well as B1 bombers, and supporting U.S ground crew."

He said the deployments meant war was now likely within the next two weeks, as the US would not want an air force poised in a maximum state of mobilisation for too long.

"When you deploy forces, it's rather like a boxer being set up for the big match," he said.

"You have to strike while the iron's hot.

"Even with the most professional troops, it's not advisable to keep them mobilised and waiting for action for an indefinite period of time."

RAF Fairford is one of only three forward bases used by the U.S Air Force outside America.

Bombers last used the base during the Kosovo conflict flying from Fairford dropping nearly 50 of all bombs on the country during the war.

The base is now capable of housing the B-2 Stealth bombers since undergoing a £100million refurbishment.

Mr Mason said it was "very unlikely" they would be stationed there for this conflict.

Meanwhile, a Gloucestershire Police spokesman said the force was acting under Section 60 of the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, is part of a security clampdown after 10 B52 US bombers arrived yesterday.

The measures were introduced for a 24-hour period as a trial and due to be reviewed at 3.52pm today.

He said: "Gloucestershire Constabulary can confirm they've invoked special stop-and-search powers to increase security around RAF Fairford. The decision was taken after military aircraft began arriving at the base."

New powers mean police can stop and search anyone within a one-mile radius of the perimeter fence to check for offensive weapons and dangerous items.


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