Does anyone have any good information on preparing for the move to RAF Lakenheath?

2016-12-26T20:52:14-05:00

Moving to RAF Lakenheath July 2017 from Nellis AFB, NV. Looking for some advice on preparing for the move. I have a family of 3 with 2 dogs. Would you suggest living on base with pets or off? Also we just bought a brand new Ram 1500, would hate to sell it and be in the hole. Would a truck that big be fine on the England roads? What were some key things you were told while preparing for your PCS?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Dec 26 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-12-26T21:06:22-05:00

Hey Luke! Nice to see you posting on here! This board will definetly help you out with your question!

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2016 9:39 PM

2016-12-26T21:39:32-05:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member Look at the current UK info on this link, or Google for additional info.
https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad
Hope it helps. The person who posted the comments about the Ram 1500 is right on - it will be a challenge on back roads - and driving on the left side of the road will present its own hurdles. Good luck on your assignment.

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to the UK - GOV.UK

Taking pets abroad on holiday or to live - pet passports, PETS travel scheme, microchipping, rabies vaccinations, quarantine, travelling with assistance dogs

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 26 at 2016 10:15 PM

2016-12-26T22:15:16-05:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member , I was at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell (Feltwell is administratively attached to Lakenheath) from '99-'02. I'd suggest putting the Ram in long term storage as the English roads are a bit narrow for a larger vehicle, plus the cost of fuel would be a bit of a burden. As for the pups, they will be in mandatory quarantine for a minimum of six months. It can get a bit pricey from what I remember but I know several who did so. We lived in base housing in Thetford Village. The housing is actually off base but is contracted to Lakenheath. When we were there the houses were brand new and VERY nice to live in.

I loved my tour there. I'm sure you will as well. Take full advantage of the travel opportunities to see the area, including Scotland. You'll be glad you did!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 26 at 2016 11:14 PM

2016-12-26T23:14:07-05:00

Can You Put Me In Your Seabag? I'm Jealous, You'll Love England. Did 3 years in London with one Month TAD to Lakenheath. It is a bit out in the Boonies but a Great Base and Great Services.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 26 at 2016 11:18 PM

2016-12-26T23:18:11-05:00

It was a great Place 40+ years ago... we worked with the Brits 1st Para and the Brit SAS Air folks and Made some Jumps from the Balloons... and they had great beers...
Remember a Queens Pint is 20 oz.sin like our 16...

Response by Sgt John McRae made Dec 27 at 2016 7:11 AM

2016-12-27T07:11:04-05:00

I was at RAF Mildenhall just down the road from Lakenheath in 78-80. I had heard of the quarantine for pets as well, but times may have changed. As far as the truck, I agree that the roads will be a bit difficult to maneuver but also, it is more difficult driving a vehicle with the steering wheel on the "correct" side since you will be driving on the left side of the road. One thing I recall is that in downtown Mildenhall there was a bakery beside a taxi stand and I ended up walking back to base many times due to spending my last few pounds in there. It was heavenly bread and worth the five mile walk.

Response by MSgt Craig Kuiper made Dec 27 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-12-27T10:14:38-05:00

Sir,

I returned in 2011 from RAF Mildenhall and we lived in housing at Lakenheath. They have new housing that was being built on Lakenheath around 06-07 time frame and completed in 2010 when we moved in. You can live on base at Feltwell and Mildenhall. They also have contracted housing in different villages in the area depending on how far out you wish to live. The waiting list can be upto a year depending on the type of house and location you wish The houses on base will have the longer wait times. Call the housing office and ask what the wait times are and then againg in a few months to see if they changed. Not sure if you truck is an 4 door with a full bed or not. Roads are small, but I drove a 4Runner with no problems and had some friends who drove their H2 around. It can be tight depending on where you go. If you are going to buy your wife a car when you get there then you can use your truck to and from work with shopping trips to other bases or even downtown just know the route and road conditions before you go. If you think the roads may be tight then take the second car. If the British Lorries can drive though the villages then so can your 1500. Enjoy your time over there.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Dec 27 at 2016 11:51 AM

2016-12-27T11:51:51-05:00

I was just up that way last year. Things have changed dramatically in the UK over the past three decades. The motorways can safely handle your vehicle, after all they drive ambulances and Fire Trucks over there, much larger than your truck -- just be sure to get the white parking light lenses added --white lights, not yellow are required for the front. Also make sure you have amber lenses in the rear for turn signals as that is also required. They have adapter kits if you cannot get it done there, or it's frightfully expensive. The good news is American cars imported command a good price for resale to locals, they love muscle cars and trucks.

Your dogs will have to undergo a quarantine, the rules are strict, but there are ways to avoid it: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

We lived on base and off. We preferred living on base only because we knew we would always have hot water under pressure (UK has lots of low flow stuff) and the landlord always comes to fix whatever breaks. Easier to board your dog if you have to TDY or deploy.

You will have to get a British driving license, so be ready for the class. Visit the Lakenheath home page.

Enjoy the tour. Mention you lived in Vegas and the locals will want to know all the details.

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to the UK - GOV.UK

Taking pets abroad on holiday or to live - pet passports, PETS travel scheme, microchipping, rabies vaccinations, quarantine, travelling with assistance dogs

Response by TSgt Wehart Hosea made Dec 27 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-12-27T12:33:57-05:00

You are in for a very big surprise going to the UK. The fog's will need to be cleared by the Brits at Heathrow prior to being released to you. If base housing is similar in size to the US, I would definitely take base housing. British homes are normally very small with low ceilings. A Ram 1500 will be okay on the Motorways (their version of the Interstate highway) but on the B roads (country) you will run into problems. In the villages and cities you will have problems navigating the narrow roads.

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Dec 27 at 2016 1:23 PM

2016-12-27T13:23:21-05:00

You asked about taking a full size truck to England and I would recommend finding some place to store it. The roads over there are narrow for the most part. I also would consider finding a home for the dogs, when I went there was a quarantine period going and coming home for the pets. If they are small, it might work out OK. I found a family member who took care of my Samoyed. I would suggest not taking a car over, but buy one there; a Volvo was half the price there as opposed to here and Volvo would ship it home. As far as living on or off base it depends on whether you want to socialize with the Brits. They don’t have single family homes like we do here. As far as someone telling me what it was like forget it unless you have someone that’s been there, the military only briefs you on how to get your stuff over there along with your family. You will be given an orientation brief once you get there, but then a lot of stuff they tell you is after the fact. I don’t know if the AF allows you to take your family with you, use to be you when and then when you found a place to live they would bring over the family. This process took about two to six months. This also is a factor in whether you live on or off base.

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Dec 27 at 2016 1:27 PM

2016-12-27T13:27:50-05:00

Get yourself a Europe/UK SD card for your GPS (Garmin/Megellian etc). We have been TDY and taken vacations in the UK on several occasions (not a PCS). A good GPS with a European/UK chip is a must. The UK has a large network of country roads and its easy to get lost. It helped us out many times. Stay focused when driving on the opposite side of the road. I almost got T-boned when I failed to look in the correct direction when pulling out into traffic. It takes several days to get used to it.

Take advantage of your time there and see the history. A day tour to the American Air Museum in Duxford is highly recommended (its just south of Cambridge on the M11). Since you are active duty, you can probably get a discount through MWR or at the museum ticket office.

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/

The pubs in the UK are great.

Response by MSgt Dwyane Watson made Dec 27 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-12-27T21:07:39-05:00

I was stationed at the Heath from 99 to 05 and loved it. My wife had a full size Explorer over there and it didn't pose that many problems. I had a British spec car though for much of the off base driving, it was fun. We lived off base and I liked having British neighbors and friends, just be careful where you choose to live, I lived in Weeting. There should be something called a pet passport for your dogs, basically a vet here will have your dogs under observation and care and fill out paperwork so your dogs won't have to stay in quarantine for 6 months. Bring your truck, your dogs, have fun and see the world. Enjoy the cider too.

Response by MSgt Mike Ruikka made Dec 28 at 2016 12:08 AM

2016-12-28T00:08:54-05:00

I was at Lakenheath 84-87. Big pick ups will be a bit of a challenge on the country roads. Not sure anymore about the vet regs for animals, and being single, and a long time ago, I lived in the barracks, first on base then out at Felt well.

Would suggest leaving the Ram at home or sell, and buy Brit spec vehicles to get around in. Much easier on gas too.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 6:48 AM

2016-12-28T06:48:11-05:00

Hey man. I just left RAF Lakenheath on 3 Oct. after being there for 4 years. Base housing is new & is nice. So it just depends on what you want. It also is more convenient living on base for spouses & children because of work & school. I lived off base, but I was also unaccompanied. Your dogs will be expensive so make sure they are current on all vaccinations. They usually require a 30 day quarantine before entering the country. Make sure you do ALL of your homework EARLY for your dogs. As far as your truck, my best friend drove a F-150 & another drove an Excursion. Some roads will be difficult to maneuver, but not all. You can take it. You won't have to get it MOT'd because it's still new, but you will have to get a light conversion & that can be done on base. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck & congratulations on your assignment. You will love Europe.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 6:49 AM

2016-12-28T06:49:40-05:00

I'm also really good friends with one of the weapon's MSgts. Her name is MSgt. Doctor.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 7:46 AM

2016-12-30T07:46:22-05:00

SSgt Zoll,
I am at Lakenheath now. I've been here since 2013. I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I see lots of F-1-whatevers driving around. Yes, some English roads can be incredibly narrow. Parking can be incredibly difficult for a large vehicle. However. The English roads that are narrow to travel down are narrow to travel down in a regular car as well (these are C-roads, not often travelled). And most of the parking that is difficult only fits a darn smart car anyway.
Yes, you will have to get a light conversion, and I've heard that this can run people upwards of $1000+ so be really careful on who you go to, to get it done. I will say be incredibly careful with how you drive it as well because the locals here are not above calling the RAF Commander of the base to complain about such-and-such a vehicle for being "a dickhead".
As for the Doggos. Have you already chatted with an Airline about the cost of shipping? How about a pick-up/kennel company for when they arrive? (if they arrive on a different time schedule than you).
If you start the Pet Passport program now, you can have everything ready to go for British Customs and your pups shouldn't have to wait more than 24 hours at a boarding kennel. Rabies is eradicated here so they are big on their vaccines for pets. Also ensure they are microchipped. That's the law here now.
Housing. Hmm. I live off base and don't have any children but Liberty Village ON Lakenheath is fantastic from all the people I know living there. Lords Walk is right outside the gate and is decent. Its a little shabby and old looking but the houses are sort of American sized? Depending on your breed of dogs however you will need a letter to provide to housing that your dogs are friendly and calm. Mildenhall and Feltwell also has base housing that if you desperately want on base Housing should be able to accommodate. (all the Primary schools are on Feltwell/Middle and High on Lakenheath)
As far as off base I have lived in Thetford (a 20-30 minute drive), Lakenheath Village (7 mins from the gate), and am now in Newmarket (15-20 mins). SSgt OHA is 1200 GBP now. That's a decent 4 bedroom home in a 20-or so mile radius of the base. But you have to account time in the drive because the roads here take longer to traverse. 10 miles can take up to 20 minutes to drive (Thetford is a good example).
If you need any links or your sponsor isn't answering questions don't hesitate to ask! I can help any way I can!

**saw your comment about fencing. A lot of Lords Walk doesn't have its own fencing for whatever reason? Everywhere else should.

Response by TSgt J.L. Brown Jr made Sep 27 at 2017 11:50 PM

2017-09-27T23:50:41-04:00

I was there back in the 80s got there in 81 and left in 87 for germany. I bought a w150 thru Aafes went to Germany to pick it up, then drove it back to lakenheath. I had no problem driving it around, the only thing if you take it, make sure you get extra glass coverage. A windshield can set you back 500 out of pocket even with insurance, but extra coverage you don't have to pay out of pocket.

Response by TSgt J.L. Brown Jr made Sep 27 at 2017 11:51 PM

2017-09-27T23:51:31-04:00

I also lived at fletwell, loved it n out there