But Wilkinson said the base provides a significant boost to the local economy as the US military commits to spend hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
“We want a long-term relationship and to be good neighbours with the Americans going forward,” he said.
“The link between Fairford and the American military goes back decades and I hope it goes forward decades too.”
The base, located on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, was opened in January 1944 and has been an important base for US military operations since the Cold War.
Geoff Lawson, who lives in Kempsford, said: “I’m quite pleased they’re gone because it’s been quite noisy.”
He said that although “peace has returned”, some residents would miss the bombers being based on their doorsteps.
“In this area, people are either for it or against it,” he said. “When we moved here, none of this has been going on, but since it started it has been very invasive.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
