Air show cancelled over 'war' fears

Mildenhall is one of six of USAF bases in the UK

The largest military air show in Europe has been cancelled due to the "war on terrorism".

The annual Air Fete at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, was last year cancelled due to the war in Afghanistan.

On Thursday it was announced this year's show, which was set to take place in May, would be cancelled.

The United States Air Force spokesman said the decision was taken due to increased "operational requirements in support of the global war on terrorism".

'Many factors'

Colonel Donald Lustig, the Commander of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, said: "We look at many factors before hosting the Air Fete.

"An important aspect again this year was our operations tempo which has required our aircraft and personnel to be deployed for missions.

"We also listened to the local community concerns and based our decision on their interests as well."

In 2001, the show drew its largest crowd ever with more than 550,000 people and 143 aircraft from 14 countries taking part.

The air show was cancelled in 1999 due to operations in Kosovo.

The air show will not take place in 2004 due to a runway-resurfacing project.