Local children given tour of base to honor late father

RAF MILDENHALL, England – Callum Ewing, 12, holds an eagle owl at the Phoenix Bird Control’s facility here Aug. 10, 2012. The visit was part of a tour designed to allow Ewing, his mother and sister to get a glimpse into the working life of their late father, who was a Ministry of Defence Police sergeant stationed at RAF Mildenhall, before he passed away from a heart attack in 2008. Family friend and fellow MoD Police Sergeant Chris Fisher arranged the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Austin M. May)

Local children given tour of base to honor late father

RAF MILDENHALL, England – Callum Ewing, 12, adjusts a pair of binoculars during a tour of the air traffic control tower here Aug. 10, 2012. In addition to the tower, the Ewing family was able to visit the KC-135 Stratotanker flight simulator and Phoenix Bird Control’s facility. The tour was to allow Ewing, his mother and sister to get a glimpse into the life of their late father, who was a Ministry of Defence Police sergeant stationed at RAF Mildenhall, before he passed away from a heart attack in 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Austin M. May)

American, British children get active in London on eve of Olympic competition

LONDON – Children from the United States and the United Kingdom take turns playing tennis with members of the USA Olympic tennis team at the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom’s residence during a fitness-themed event July 27, 2012. The festivities were part of first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat childhood obesity. The first lady and several Olympic athletes took turns playing games with the kids. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Austin M. May)

Dangers of irresponsible drinking

(U.S. Air Force graphic/Gary Rogers)

Their legacy lives on

A historic photograph of Staff Sgt. (then Pvt.) Merl W. Skinner, 301st Squadron, U.S. Army Air Forces, in his service uniform. Skinner, a C-47 Skytrain crewchief, died while air evacuating World War II patients to Prestwick, Scotland, and is buried at Madingley American Cemetery in Cambridge, England. (Courtesy photo)

RAF Mildenhall Airmen donate bags of life

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- An Armed Services Blood Program medical lab technician inserts a needle into the vein of a donor at the blood drive here May 8, 2012. The sole purpose of the ASBP program is to gather blood for U.S. Military members in case of medical emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

RAF Mildenhall Airmen donate bags of life

RAF MILDENHALL, England – A blood collection mixer helps mix donated blood with anticoagulant in a collection bag during a blood drive here May 8, 2012. After being collected, the blood is bagged, labeled and put on ice while it awaits transport to a proper holding facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Cycling strengthens fitness, environment

The beginning of May starts the National Bike Month. U.S. Air Forces in Europe encourages it Airmen to take part in bike month as a way to stay ahead of the pack in the Air Force Fit-to-Fight program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Overcoming sexual assault: A victim’s candid story

RAF MILDENHALL, England – An Air Force senior airman prays and recalls the challenges she’s endured at the base chapel here April 10, 2012. The Airman is a rape survivor and is paving the path forward in life and in her career. She continues to dedicate much of her time to her faith and now is also devoted to helping those who may have suffered the way she did, sexual assault victims, she said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

Overcoming sexual assault: A victim’s candid story

RAF MILDENHALL, England – An Air Force senior airman reads the Bible at the base chapel here April 10, 2012. The Airman is a rape survivor and said her faith has been extremely significant in coping and recovery. She’s a victim advocate in the base sexual assault prevention and response program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

Bird in Hand Gate reopens

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The Bird in Hand Gate, Gate 17, opened Feb. 17, 2012, and base members can now use the gate to leave base. It is a vehicle exit only, but pedestrians (with base ID cards) can enter and exit there. Gate 15, the Main Gate is now vehicle and pedestrian entry only. The construction, which cost £1.3 million for the Lincoln Road East area, consisted of changes including a new Delta barrier and bollards, new entry control point, alteration of the road layout and addition of pedestrian crossings, electrical works and signage. The updates have been made to improve safety for base personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)

...it was 1986 - Lt. Col. Gene Mattingly's tale

Then Airman Gene Mattingly works as his workstation at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, N.Y., in 1986. Currently Mattingly is a lieutenant colonel, and commands the 100th Communications Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force illustrative photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace/Staff Sgt. Austin May)