9 August 2003. One of the Eyeball
series.
Source of aerial photos and maps:
http://www.multimap.com
Thanks to SW for pointing to this site and for the annotated aerial photo.
Former USAF RAF Molesworth web site now disappeared: http://molesworth.af.mil
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/molesworth.htm
[Excerpt]
RAF Molesworth
The tri-base area constituting the 423d Air Base Squadron is composed of
RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth and
RAF Upwood, United Kingdom.
The USECOM Joint Analysis Center (JAC) mission is to analyze, process and
produce fused intelligence information for the United States and NATO. The
area of responsibility consists of more than 77 countries across Europe,
Africa and the Middle East. It supports mission planning and operations by
US, Allied and NATO commanders during peace, crisis and war. The 423 ABS
is the host unit providing support services for the JAC. Personnel from all
four U.S. military services are assigned to the Joint Analysis Center and
contribute to the intelligence mission. The JAC activated at RAF Molesworth
in 1992, moving from its base in Stuttgart, Germany. The population
assigned-served as of late 1998 was: Active Duty: 1,400 Family Members: 2,400
Retirees: 1,320 Civilian Employees: 665.
In February 1985, after nearly 20 years of relative inactivity except for
its use as a military family housing annex, Defense Reutilization and Marketing
Office storage area, and Defense Mapping Agency site, the base reverted to
the Royal Air Force.
Preparation began for the ground launched cruise missile mission, and new
facility construction began in September 1985. The 303d Tactical Missile
Wing was activated on 12 Dec 86 at RAF Molesworth. On 23 Jul 87 the RAF
transferred operational command and administrative control of the base to
the USAF. The 303d Tactical Missile Wing's mission changed significantly
after the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to limit Intermediate-
range missiles in 1988 under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
The first removal of operation cruise missile treaty-limited items from Western
Europe occurred Sept 8, 1988. On 19 Jan 89, the Soviet inspection team returned
to conduct a close-out inspection of the base. On Jan 30, 1989, the 303d
TMW was inactivated. Some of the facilities at RAF Molesworth covered under
the treaty remained subject to Russian inspection until 2001.
http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/eucom/jac/
[Excerpt]
Joint Analysis Center (JAC)
The JAC was formerly the U.S. European Defense Analysis Center (EUDAC), which
was co-located with USEUCOM at Patch Barracks (Stuttgart) Germany, in August
1975. The USEUCOM JAC began operations at RAF Molesworth in October 1991.
The JAC activated at RAF Molesworth in 1992, moving from its base in Stuttgart,
Germany, and has been steadily increasing its capability since then. The
National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), Defense Reutilization and Marketing
Office (DRMO), and other tenant organizations are also located at RAF Molesworth.
The National Military Strategy describes the Joint Intelligence Center, which
in the case of USEUCOM is the JAC, as "the principal element for ensuring
effective intelligence support for combatant commanders in chiefs and theater
forces." Secretary of Defense memorandum, 15 March 1991, "Strengthening Defense
Intelligence," inter alia, established the JIC as the primary intelligence
organization providing support to joint warfighting at all levels. The JIC
concept fuses the main support capabilities of all Service, Combat Support
Agency, and combat units into a one stop shopping center for intelligence
support. The JIC is, by design, scalable and can expand to meet the needs
of the Joint Force Commander. During noncrisis periods, JIC manning is normally
retained at the minimum level required to perform essential functions such
as I&W, current intelligence, collection management, delegated general
military intelligence production, and support to the commander. As crises
develop, JICs at each echelon bring together personnel and equipment needed
to manage intelligence support requirements.
Recently, a new UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) system became operational
at the (JAC's Operations Center (JOC). The SATCOM system is capable of
simultaneously transmitting and receiving information on multiple channels
using as many as three satellites.
http://jobs.saic.com/ajobbext3.nsf/alljobsbyrequestno/SDO063888?OpenDocument
[SAIC current job listing.]
Systems Engineer
Job Description:
Duties include supporting the United States European Command (USEUCOM)
on-location at the Joint Analysis Center (JAC), RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom,
in implementing new systems and software to the operational environment.
Candidates will perform a full range of information technology work including
software and hardware technical assessments, systems implementation planning,
requirements analysis, project management, and software/system acceptance
testing. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security
investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified
information.
Required Skills:
All applicants must possess a current US Top Secret/SCI security clearance
to be considered for this position. All applicants must understand and practice
systems engineering precepts. Expertise in intelligence systems architectures
and operating systems. Proficiency in Windows NT and 2000 Systems, Systems
Administration, Network Management and Windows based applications. Must be
able to develop and execute action plans, prioritize tasks, and work
independently. Must have experience in preparing and directing the preparation
of written products and oral presentations for executive-level decision-makers.
Must have demonstrated self-motivation. Must have working knowledge of database
operations. Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen and will be subject to a government
security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access
to classified information. An extended workweek and some travel within Europe
and the US may be required.
http://www.worldzone.net/technology/mike1087/ghosts/molesworth.html
I was surprised when I visited Molesworth. There is little left at Greenham
Common but the facilities at this base appear to be totally intact. You can
legally walk around most of the RAF Molesworth perimeter although I understand
it is now an intelligence centre under the control of RAF Alconbury (USAFE).
These are the Cruise Missile pens or bunkers. It was very eerie walking around
the wire and I felt that we were being watched. I felt a very strong atmosphere
here. We survived the Cold War, we face different threats now. But Molesworth
is a chilling reminder of what might have been.
Eyeballing
the
USAF/RAF
Molesworth
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