Team Mildenhall hosts local High Sheriff visit

Team Mildenhall leadership, Airmen and local high sheriffs pose for a group photograph in front of a 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker Oct. 13, 2017, during a base tour of RAF Mildenhall, England. The community leaders were given the opportunity to speak to Airmen and learn about their career fields. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

Team Mildenhall hosts local High Sheriff visit

U.S. Air Force Airmen describe weapons and support equipment utilized by 321st Special Tactics Squadron Air Commandos to local high sheriffs, Oct. 13, 2017, on RAF Mildenhall, England. High sheriffs are appointed for one year as active and supportive community leaders in relations to emergency responders, public and volunteer sector organizations involved in crime reduction and social cohesion. Three members of the Office of High Sheriffs toured both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

Team Mildenhall hosts local High Sheriff visit

Richard Pemberton, High Sheriff of Norfolk, England, center, uses a taser on a volunteer Airman, Oct. 13, 2017, during a non-lethal weapons demonstration on RAF Mildenhall, England. Three members of the Office of High Sheriffs toured both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. High sheriffs are appointed for one year as active and supportive community leaders in relations to emergency responders, public and volunteer sector organizations involved in crime reduction and social cohesion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

Team Mildenhall hosts local High Sheriff visit

Published Oct. 17, 2017
By Senior Airman Justine Rho
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England – Three members of the Office of High Sheriff visited RAF Mildenhall, Oct. 13, as part of a familiarization visit.

The High Sheriffs of Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire attended the tour with their spouses. The itinerary included a mission brief presented by Col. Christopher Amrhein, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Col. Tracy Onufer, 352nd Special Operations Wing vice commander. Members of the 100th Security Forces Squadron provided demonstrations of the military working dog team and non-lethal weapons; followed by static display tours of a CV-22 Osprey, MC-130J Commando II and a KC-135 Stratotanker; finally ending the day with the opportunity to use the KC-135 flight simulator.

“The high sheriffs are an important part of the local communities and have close ties and influences within their community,” said Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Krussick, 100th Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “As guests in the U.K. it's important to show them our professional Airmen at work by highlighting the great things they do for our nations. The U.K. is one of our closest allies and we want to continue to build on that relationship.”

The Office of High Sheriff dates back to Saxon times when the ‘shire reeve,’ appointed by the king, was responsible for upholding law and order, including tax collection within the shire or county. Present-day high sheriffs play an active and supporting role in their communities in relation to emergency services, public sectors such as probation and prison services, and voluntary sector organizations involved in crime reduction and social cohesion. There are 55 high sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales. Each member is appointed for one year.

“To me, the best part of the tour was the interaction with our guests, wing leadership and our Airmen,” Krussick explained. “It's our Airmen on RAF Mildenhall who make this a great place to work and live. It's a privilege to be a part of these tours and showcase their hard work and professionalism.”