its a artical from DoD who announces the following things...
The Air Force will permanently base the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Europe. After a considered and deliberative process, RAF Lakenheath, UK, was selected as the first location in Europe to host the F-35. This decision reflects the closeness of the U.S.-UK defense relationship and the military value of basing in the UK. The first aircraft are scheduled to arrive at RAF Lakenheath in 2020.
and...
The EIC and F-35 basing decisions will result in a net decrease of approximately 2,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel in the UK over the next several years. This loss is primarily due to the removal of about 3,200 U.S. personnel from RAF Mildenhall, which will be offset by the addition of about 1,200 U.S. military personnel who will be permanently stationed alongside the two F-35 squadrons going to RAF Lakenheath.
and...
Divest RAF Mildenhall - Returns the installation and four supported sites to the United Kingdom. DoD intends to relocate the operational units at RAF Mildenhall within Europe - the assigned KC-135s and the 352nd Special Operations Wing to Germany, and the assigned RC-135s within the U.K. This consolidation paves the way for the stationing of two squadrons of F-35s at RAF Lakenheath, starting in 2020.
so Mildenhall is still closing i conclude
also strange thing is that the F-35 will be stationed in year 2020, but when will they arrive??
I know the plans to build at new platform at Ramstein AFB are ready but still on hold waiting for green light by DoD
I think you need to catch up. The 100ARW and 352SOW are no longer going to Germany, but staying in the UK. As for LN, the 48FW will increase strength by one extra squadron as both F-15E squadrons remain with the loss of the F-15C/Ds but addition of two F-35 squadrons - so in effect squadrons from current three to four in total
Yes the F-16's move out off Spangdahlem, still the base will not close and plans still that the MC-130J will move to Spangdahlem and rumour still remain that the KC-135 or KC-46 will move to Ramstein or Spangdahlem.
DoD do not want to close the base due they build a whole new facility area what cost to much to close, so the option to replace the MC-130J and RC-135 and KC-135/KC-46 to Spangdahlem is still a good option and close the "old base" Mildenhall