Retreat is sounded for US, UK Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Royal Air Force airmen from the 51 Squadron at RAF Waddington were invited to attend RAF Mildenhall's monthly retreat ceremony on May 25, 2012.

The 488th Intelligence Squadron and 95th Reconnaissance Squadron hosted this month's retreat and chose to invite their U.K. partners -- the 51 Squadron -- as a way to share their experience with each other.

"It is a great honor for us to have the chance to participate in this retreat with our U.S. counterparts here today," said Flight Lt. John Allen, 51 Squadron navigator.

Retreat ceremonies signal the end of the official duty day and also serve as a way to pay respect to the flag. During retreat the flag is lowered and taken off the pole and a detail of Airmen give it a distinct fold. It is then passed to the commander who retires it for the night.

This retreat ceremony gave the 488th IS and the 51 Squadron another opportunity to work together and strengthen their partnership. The squadrons have worked together for many years on both training and missions.

"Our partnership was founded in common training and missions, but our interactions over this past year have added to that existing bond and it's one I am proud to be a part of," said Maj. Clifford Morgan, 488th IS director of operations. "The personnel of the 488th and 51 Squadron couldn't help but to become more than partner squadrons -- at some point, we just became friends and family."

According to Master Sgt. Robert Baird, 488th IS Mission Management flight chief, the 488th wanted to invite their U.K. counterparts to attend the retreat ceremony because not only do they retire the U.S. colors but the Royal Air Force Ensign as well.

"It also gives Team Mildenhall the chance to strengthen our already strong bond with our fellow U.K. airmen," said Baird.

The U.S. and U.K. have been allies since World War I and have ever since been working together.

"For decades, the United States and United Kingdom have shared close military bonds," said Morgan. "What makes this event special is the ability of our two squadrons who share so much in terms of training and operations, to be able to share our mutual respect for one another as fellow Airmen."