RAF Leiston

The primary reason for closure was the end of World War II. As part of the post-war military drawdown, the vast network of temporary airfields built across the United Kingdom, including RAF Leiston, were deemed surplus to requirements and were decommissioned.

The site is now a mix of agricultural and industrial land. The northern part of the former airfield is occupied by the Sizewell A and Sizewell B nuclear power stations. While most of the airfield has been returned to farmland, the faint outlines of the main runways and perimeter track are still visible from the air. Some sections of the concrete track are used as farm roads. A memorial dedicated to the personnel of the 357th Fighter Group stands on the site as a tribute to their service.

RAF Leiston was a significant World War II airfield. Initially built for the Royal Air Force in 1943, it was quickly transferred to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force and designated as AAF Station F-373. It is most famous for being the home of the 357th Fighter Group, nicknamed 'The Yoxford Boys'. Flying P-51 Mustangs, the 357th became one of the most successful fighter groups in the Eighth Air Force, credited with destroying over 600 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat. The group produced numerous flying aces, including notable pilots like Colonel Bud Anderson, Brigadier General Chuck Yeager, and Captain Kit Carson. The airfield played a critical role in providing long-range fighter escort for Allied bomber formations on missions over occupied Europe.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Leiston as an operational airfield. The conversion of the land to agricultural use and, more significantly, the construction of two nuclear power stations on the site make any future aviation use virtually impossible.