News>Lakenheath, Mildenhall hold annual Independence Day celebration
Story at a Glance
• Approximately 30,000 Airmen and members of the local communities to celebrate America's 235th birthday, July 4, 2011.
Photos
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team performs during the Fourth of July Celebration, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local British came together to celebrate America's Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- A British Avro Lancaster bomber flies over the crowd during the Fourth of July celebration at Royal Air Force, Feltwell England, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and British locals celebrated the United States Independence Day. The 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing hosted the event and featured aerial demonstrations, games, American food, carnival rides and a fireworks display. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr./Released)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- Staff Sgt. Matthew Osterholt, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron Sensors team leader, grills burgers during the Fourth of July celebration, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local British came together to celebrate America's Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team performs during the Fourth of July Celebration, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local British came together to celebrate America's Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Connor Estes)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team perform an air show during the Fourth of July celebration on RAF Feltwell, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local community members came together to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team perform an air show during the Fourth of July celebration on RAF Feltwell, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local community members came together to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England - The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team perform an air show during the Fourth of July celebration on RAF Feltwell, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local community members came together to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team perform an air show during the Fourth of July celebration on RAF Feltwell, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local British came together to celebrate America's Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- Celebration participants watch as the Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team performs during the Fourth of July celebration, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 Airmen, their families and local community members came together to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- Airmen, their families and the community alike watch fireworks during the Fourth of July celebration on RAF Feltwell, July 4, 2011. Approximately 30,000 people came together to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Attendees enjoyed a variety of food, played games, watched aerial displays, rode carnival rides and watched fireworks.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory Payne)
by Senior Airman David Dobrydney
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
7/5/2011 - ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- Cultures met here July 4, 2011, when the gates opened to approximately 30,000 Airmen and members of the local communities to celebrate America's 235th birthday.
The day consisted of live entertainment provided by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band's ensemble Wings of Dixie and Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, rides, food and a car show with several classic British and American automobiles.
"It's a wonderful way to start the summer," said Col. John Quintas, 48th Fighter Wing commander, who brought his wife and two daughters to enjoy a day of hot dogs, carnival rides and softball games.
Additionally, the U.K. government provided aerial demonstrations to commemorate the event.
Representing the World War II era was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight consisting of a Hawker Hurricane fighter and Lancaster bomber, and the return of the "Sally B", the last airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe.
The Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team also made their first appearance at Feltwell to the delight of the audience.
"I can't express my thanks enough to 'Red 10' [Squadron Leader Graham (Baggers) Bagnall] and the Red Arrows for ... making today such a special occasion," said Squadron Leader Jeremy Neild, RAF Lakenheath RAF commander. "Let's hope that we see them again soon - I will never tire of watching such precision flying."
The evening was capped by a 20-minute fireworks show.
For 10-year-old Paige Ledgewood, who just arrived a few months ago, Independence Day was a chance for her to see some new sights.
"It's pretty cool," she said about being in England. "I like enjoying the rides and I saw a couple of my friends."
Quintas considers events like the Fourth of July invaluable as both a morale boost for Airmen and families away from home and as a way to continue a long-standing friendship with the British people.
"We share those common values of liberty and freedom," he said. "Celebrations like this remind us of some of the traditions in America and also allow us to come together as an Air Force family [with our neighbors in the] community."
