Member Article

500 jobs to go at Menwith Hill US Army base in North Yorkshire

The US European Commission has announced the elimination of 500 US military and civilian positions at North Yorkshire US base Menwith Hill.

For security reasons it is unclear how many British citzens work at the base, but some are paid directly by the American government and coud stand to lost their jobs.

This could lead to an adverse effect in the local economy. Houses rented by American service personel would be vacatated, which could help the local housing shortage, thought the houses on offer may not be in the “affordable” bracket.

In a statement to Bdaily the spokesperson for the US operations in Europe and Africa said: “We expect some level of reduction in UK Ministry of Defense positions, which we will discuss with the MoD.

“Reductions in UK employee staffing will be fully coordinated with the MOD, trade unions, and relevant organizations with normal attrition and reassignment wherever possible.”

The base or “golf balls” nine miles west of Harrogate contain satellites intercepting conversations for the NSA.

In a statement on the US European Command site said: “As part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s continuing efforts to rebalance its workforce to improve efficiencies, U.S. European Command announced today the decision to reduce personnel at Royal Air Force Menwith Hill Station, United Kingdom, by October 2016.

As a result, approximately 500 U.S. military and civilian positions will be eliminated as the 421st Air Base Group and other U.S. military units will be deactivated.

“The DoD is currently realigning its workforce around the globe by employing advanced technologies and combining similar mission activities worldwide to create more efficiencies.

“Despite this reduction in personnel, U.S. European Command remains committed to international security in the region and will continue to work in close cooperation with the United Kingdom.

“As with all actions at U.S. military bases overseas, the United States has coordinated with host nation officials at all levels prior to this public announcement.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .