US air force cancels UK show over security

THE US air force has cancelled an Independence Day event at a UK base over security concerns.
THE Red Arrows had been due to perform on Saturday at RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, during a two-day public event hosted by USAF members based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.
"The decision was made due to the most current local threat assessments," a statement on the RAF Lakenheath website said. "The base continually surveys the security environment alongside host nation counterparts and must take appropriate measures based on those assessments." Colonel David Eaglin, vice commander of the US 48th Fighter Wing, said public safety had to be put first. "We apologise for any inconvenience this cancellation has caused and we will continue to work with our UK counterparts - both military and civilian - to make sure we keep our airmen and the local communities safe," he said. Col Robert Novotny, 48th Fighter Wing commander, told the BBC the show had been cancelled "out of prudence". "What we learned over the last 48 hours ... gave us a great pause as to whether we wanted to have a large mass gathering on a military base," he said.