Fairford 2005 - news archive

Following a week in which TV and newspapers reported the US military’s illegal use of chemical weapons in Iraq, and the employment by the US-backed Iraqi government of torture chambers and paramilitary death squads(1), one might be forgiven for thinking that the media is carrying out the essential task of relaying the information necessary for us to be able to assess our government’s policies. In fact, it is the media’s near total failure to report on the bloodshed caused by our side in the ongoing conflict that keeps many current US-UK government officials in their jobs, if not out of the International Criminal Court on charges of committing war crimes. The reality is that gruesome atrocities continue to be committed by the occupying powers in Iraq, and that these pass with little or no mention in the mainstream media on either side of the Atlantic. As such the media are accessories to these crimes, standing as they do between the criminals and accountability.

fMINISTRY of Defence officials have hit back at claims from defence experts that military bases near Swindon could be at risk of terrorist attacks.

The comments follow the recent release of Google Earth, a free website which shows pictures taken from a variety of satellites around the world, including nearby air force bases at Lyneham and Fairford ­ which is used by U2 spy planes.

RAF FAIRFORD say they will do their best to reduce noise as planes from Brize Norton are moved to the base.

The first of 28 tanker and transport aircraft from the Oxfordshire base have started to fly to the American airbase north of Swindon where they will be based until January.

RAF Lyneham will be the scene of a massive security operation when defence ministers from the European Union meet there next month. The event is regarded by staff at the airbase as a great honour.

Britain's defence minister John Reid will join his counterparts from around Europe at the gathering on Thursday October 13. All 24 defence ministers have been invited but it is not yet known how many will turn up for the day, which is to be hosted by Mr Reid.

The first of 28 tanker and transport aircraft based at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire were due to fly to the American airbase north of Swindon where they will be based until January, yesterday morning. The move is due to runway resurfacing at Brize Norton. Some 28 RAF transport and tanker aircraft will operate from Fairford including TriStars, VC-10s and C17s. Aircraft chartered by the MOD will also use Fairford.

RAF Fairford was put on high alert for the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Dozens of personnel were made ready in case the shuttle launch went wrong and had to make an aborted landing on this side of the Atlantic. The base is one of several airfields around the globe made ready to accept the Space Shuttle in the event of an emergency.

[Web monkey's note: Fairford is one of only three air bases outside the US with a runway large enough to support a B52 bomber, making it strategically vital for the US military machine. It may just be coincidence that it can also support a shuttle landing.]

Leeanne Wheatley, 32, has written to the council demanding that a notice is put on the cemetery or a policeman at the gate to stop people using it to view the air show next year.

Mrs Wheatley said: "We went to visit our baby daughter on the second anniversary of losing her and found hoards of people watching the Fairford Air Tattoo. They were having picnics on the grass and children were throwing balls thinking that they could use a place of tranquillity and peace as a public park or makeshift viewing area for the air show."

Publicity about the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford (RIAT) has been appearing in local libraries and papers in the last week. The tattoo is sponsored by arms manufacturers, but is not strictly an arm's fair (i). However the Gloucestershire Green Party argue it is still about selling the concept of weapons and war as acceptable ways of resolving differences between nations. Greens say 'give it a miss'.

SWINDON'S skies are set to get busier later in the year with the arrival of aircraft from a base in Oxfordshire. Tanker and transport jets from RAF Brize Norton will be moving to RAF Fairford and RAF Lyneham near Swindon for up to four months while urgent work is carried out on the Oxfordshire base's runway.

"ANTI-WAR protestors who were prosecuted for trespassing on military bases were denied justice, the High Court heard. Those convicted were treated unfairly and should not have been found guilty because they were trying to prevent an "illegal" war, said a QC."

"The House of Lords (Judicial Appeals Committee) has granted leave to hear the appeal of the Fairford Five including Toby Olditch and Phil Prichard of Oxford. The question to be considered is whether or not the "Nurmeburg principals" international criminal offence of a crime against peace/international aggression is now also a crime under English Domestic Law for which individuals in this country may be held liable, including also those claiming government immunity (under the Royal Perogative) i.e. Blair, Straw and Hoon et al. The hearing will be in about a year’s time in the highest court in the land. To say this is the biggest peace protest case of the past 50 years is no overstatement."