Media program highlights RAF Mildenhall mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Systems checks were all go as a Cambridge reporter and her videographer strapped themselves into their seats in the Quid 20 cockpit and the massive tanker propelled itself airborne in formation behind another KC-135 Stratotanker on RAF Mildenhall's runway April 27.

The mission was a standard one, to refuel RAF Lakenheath F-15E Strike Eagles in the skies just off England's coastline.

Although training missions take place several times weekly, the reporters said they believe most British citizens don't understand how vital such missions are to their security.

After the day's flight and interviews with Aircraft Commander Capt. Jonathan Uhler, Pilot 1st Lt. Matthew Greenspan, and Boom Operator Senior Airman Neil Patras, many TV viewers will soon understand why the U.S. Air Force operates in the skies above their homeland.

"Our media flight program is very active, and it's designed to familiarize community members with information about the 100th Air Refueling Wing mission and the Air Force," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, 100th ARW Public Affairs Media Relations chief. "These flights give our British hosts a detailed look at the heart of the base mission and enable them to make balanced decisions in the course of their community work."

Media flights are flown in conjunction with regularly-scheduled training missions or other NATO-supporting missions, added Sergeant Wallace, saying that, "no flights are generated for the sole purpose of this program."

Media flights are merely one tool Sergeant Wallace's office utilizes to highlight base missions. Still, in the past two weeks, the 100th ARW Public Affairs office hosted several media flights and flew nearly a dozen national and international media members to cover the two NATO exercises Brilliant Ardent and Frisian Flag.