Lakenheath, Mildenhall hold annual Independence Day celebration

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Dobrydney
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
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."