Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, hold the U.S. flag before the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders football game in London on Sept. 28, 2014. The game was the first of three international NFL games that will be played this season at Wembley Stadium. As part of the pregame ceremony, the 48 Fighter Wing Airmen presented U.S. and U.K. flags as a sign of the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

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Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Tech. Sgt. Brendan Clifton, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman, holds a U.K. flag before the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders football game in London on Sept. 28, 2014. The game was the first of three international NFL games that will be played this season at Wembley Stadium. As part of the pregame ceremony, the 48 Fighter Wing Airmen presented U.S. and U.K. flags as a sign of the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

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Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, hold the U.S. flag before the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders football game in London on Sept. 28, 2014. The game was the first of three international NFL games that will be played this season at Wembley Stadium. As part of the pregame ceremony, the 48 Fighter Wing Airmen held U.S. and U.K. flags as a sign of the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Col. Marc Vandeveer)

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Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Charles Clay (42), Miami Dolphins tight end, walks off the field after a play during the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders football game in London on Sept. 28, 2014. Clay recorded two receptions for 32 yards in their 38-14 win over the Oakland Raiders. Clay says he has high praise for troops overseas. “They are the reason we have the opportunity to play this game. We have so much respect for those men and women.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

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Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Mike Wallace (11), Miami Dolphins receiver, celebrates with Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins quarterback, after catching a touchdown pass during the Miami Dolphins – Oakland Raiders football game in London on Sept. 28, 2014. Wallace recorded three catches for 35 yards and three touchdowns in their 38-14 win over the Oakland Raiders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

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Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

Published Sept. 30, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENEHATH, England -- Underneath the lights at Wembley Stadium in London, approximately 100 48th Fighter Wing Airmen proudly held the flags of both the United States and the United Kingdom on Sept. 28 to kickoff the first of three international series football games this season.

The first 2014 NFL game at Wembley Stadium featured the Miami Dolphins against the Oakland Raiders. The Airmen, who work in various 48th FW units, took to the field, presenting large U.S. and U.K. flags. This not only showed the NFL's presence in London, but also the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts.

Along with the flag presentation, the pregame ceremony also involved a joint U.S. honor guard from RAF Alconbury, dance by the Oakland Raider's cheerleaders and a short performance by Def Leopard, all in front of more than 83,000 people.

"The feeling I had walking out onto the field in uniform was absolutely amazing," said Tech. Sgt. Brendan Clifton, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman.

According to Clifton, the experience brought a smile to the faces of the Airmen as they were cheered on by the loud international crowd.

"It was a great feeling to go to London and have the opportunity to represent the 48th Fighter Wing and the U.S. Air Force," Clifton added.

For Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay, the experience in London was wonderful, and he was grateful for the opportunity to play a game at Wembley Stadium.

"Playing a game in front of an international crowd is big, but securing the 'W' was the biggest thing," Clay said.

Clay contributed to the Miami Dolphins 38-14 win, recording two receptions for 32 yards. Clay says he has high praise for the troops overseas.

"They are the reason we have the opportunity to play this game. We have so much respect for those men and women."

Clay added he's often told from his fans that he is their hero, but he sees things differently.

"[The troops] are the tough guys," he said. "Those are the people I look up to as my heroes."