RAF Mildenhall and some of its airmen will soon appear on screen in “Jack Ryan: Ghost War,” the latest installment in the long-running franchise created by author Tom Clancy. The movie comes to Amazon Prime Video on May 20, 2026. (Jonny Cournoyer/Prime Video)
RAF Mildenhall and some of its airmen will soon appear on screen in “Jack Ryan: Ghost War,” the latest installment in the long-running franchise created by author Tom Clancy.
The film is set for release later this month, and its storyline includes the Air Force base in the United Kingdom. As such, about 50 U.S. airmen at the installation teamed up with filmmakers there to lend authenticity to the story, the Air Force confirmed.
Support for the production was coordinated by the Department of the Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office, which worked with the airmen to advise filmmakers on scenes involving the Air Force, Lt. Col. Gina McKeen, the office’s director, told Stars and Stripes in an email Thursday.
“They were open to our inputs, asked lots of questions about how to ensure the Air Force aspects were presented correctly on screen, and were very supportive of the military folks involved,” McKeen said of the film’s crew.
The airmen gave advice on uniform and appearance standards, military protocols and customs and courtesies. They also provided background information on how the Air Force counters terrorism and the role of U.S. intelligence capabilities in global defense, McKeen said.
Some of that expertise made it directly into the film. Mildenhall Honor Guard members supported a scene depicting a solemn ramp ceremony on the flightline, while several other airmen appeared as extras. Airmen also served as extras in two additional scenes filmed at the base, according to McKeen.
The airmen extras volunteered and were hired by the production at the standard day rate, McKeen said, adding that each completed an Air Force off-duty employment form before participating.
Filming at Mildenhall took place in April 2025.
Located in Suffolk in eastern England, the base is one of the key hubs for U.S. air operations in Europe. It is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the only permanently based U.S. air refueling wing in the European theater, which refuels U.S. and allied aircraft midair, extending their range.
“By partnering with productions like this, allowing them to film on our bases and with real Airmen, we are helping showcase to global viewing audiences the professionalism and capabilities of the USAF while adding realism and accuracy to the story,” McKeen said.
“Jack Ryan: Ghost War” is scheduled to be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 20.
Jennifer Svan contributed to this report.
