727th AMS Passenger Terminal earns recognition for space-A travel

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 727th Air Mobility Squadron Passenger Terminal received the "Red Bandana Award" March 13 from the Space-Available Travelers group, known as SPATs.

The award, though unofficial, was presented by Donald Miller, a retired master sergeant who served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years. He now lives in England with his British wife, Janet, and the couple said they were glad to be able to present the award for all the support the SPATs have been given by RAF Mildenhall's passenger terminal.

"I post information on RAF Mildenhall for space-available travelers on our Web site, www.pepperd.com," said Mr. Miller. "The site was started several years ago by a retired Army guy, and provides lots of information on bases around the world, including lodging information, bus travel and places to eat; anything that space-A travelers might want to know. Anybody who is eligible to fly space-A can use the site."

Mr. Miller said around 14,000 people use the site.

"With the credit crunch, more people than ever are using space-A travel," he said.

This is the first time the award - named after the red bandana used by everyone who is part of the organization, as a recognition symbol, whether tied on luggage or worn on clothing - has been presented, and the passenger terminal at RAF Mildenhall was chosen from a field of five other overseas bases in the running.

"More than 1,000 people voted, and (RAF) Mildenhall came out on top," the retired master sergeant said. "We wanted to recognize the people at the terminal for all the help they've given us, such as clean facilities and friendliness.

Lt. Col. Seaborn Whatley, 727th AMS commander, accepted the award from Mr. Miller.

"We emphasis customer service in our passenger terminal, so to be selected as the best by a group of Space-A connoisseurs is high praise indeed," he said. "I could not be more proud of the exceptionally professional team of (Ministry of Defence) civilians and Airmen who truly earned this honor."