ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Keith Mutton, right, Phoenix Bird Control falconer, performs a birds of prey demonstration with Mustang, a lanner falcon, during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Local community leaders and their guests observe F-15 Eagle flyovers for the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Master Sgt. Apolonio Santos, 48th In-Patient Care Squadron NCO in charge, gives a presentation of tools a decontamination team uses during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Clive Springett, 48th Communications Squadron honorary commander, takes photos of an F-15E Strike Eagle during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Airmen from the 48th Medical Group demonstrate a decontamination tent during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Local community leaders and guests learn about a fire truck's systems from 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011.The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - YYogi, a two year old Belgium malinois, brings down Staff Sgt. Michael Marks, 48th Security Forces K-9 handler, during a military working dog demonstration during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Keith Mutton, Phoenix Bird Control falconer, holds Twinkle, a 24-year-old eagle owl, during a bird demonstration for the Honorary Commanders' summer reception, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Keith Mutton, Phoenix Bird Control falconer, presents Mustang, a 2-year-old lanner falcon, during a bird demonstration for the Honorary Commanders' summer reception, July 29, 2011.The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Mustang, a lanner falcon, searches the flight line for other birds, during the Honorary Commanders' summer reception at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, July 29, 2011. The visitors, including seven new honorary commanders, witnessed a birds of prey demonstration, military working dog demonstration, F-15 Eagle take-offs and landings, and a decontamination exercise during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
by Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/2/2011 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing hosted its annual summer reception to welcome new honorary commanders and local dignitaries July 29.
The event allowed local British leaders to visit the base and mingle with the Airmen who share their community.
"First and foremost we need to express our appreciation for all the support we get so that's why these events are important," said Col. John Quintas, 48th FW commander.
The Honorary Commander Program pairs civic leaders with squadron, group and wing-level leaders. It is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, experiences and friendship between key leaders of the local civilian and military communities.
This year welcomed seven new honorary commanders into the program.
"Sometimes the base feels and seems like it's a guarded, secure area where they're not allowed to come in and we really want to open it up and help them understand what we do here and why we're here," Quintas said.
Besides their own induction ceremony, the visitors witnessed the wing's monthly promotion ceremony before taking a tour of the base, concluding with an American barbecue dinner. Various units put on demonstrations of their capabilities, including a flight of F-15 Eagles.
"We're the guests here in England, so the more we can show transparency the easier it is for them to accept us," said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Beckett, 48th Security Forces Squadron kennel master.
Among the dignitaries was John Bexon, head brewer for the Greene King Brewery. Bexon has participated in the honorary commander program at both Royal Air Force Mildenhall and Lakenheath for 10 years. He has been honorary commander of the 48th Munitions Squadron for the past five years.
Staying with one squadron has allowed Bexon to build continuity with the Airmen who work there.
"It makes it easier to meet new people when they come in," he said. "It helps to bond the two cultures and I've made a lot of friends along the way, at all levels."
While Bexon has visited with Airmen for several years, this year's reception was the first for Patricia O'Brien, Suffolk County Council chairman.
"I feel very privileged to be here," O'Brien said. "We read a lot about how we're allies ... but to come here and actually meet Americans and to realize we have so much in common, it's just a delight."
