Team Mildenhall Airmen visit RAF Waddington for airpower demonstration

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Team Mildenhall Airmen attended the Royal Air Force Air Combat Power visit Oct. 22, 2019, at RAF Waddington, England.

During the tour, members attended briefings about unmanned aircraft, aeromedical evacuation and airfield force protection and toured static aircraft displays to learn about RAF airpower capabilities.

“This opportunity allowed each of us to not only see what the RAF brings to the fight, but how they employ those systems and their strategies for doing so,” said Capt. Christopher Valencia, 100th Mission Support Group executive officer. “We gained a better understanding of how the RAF and U.S. Air Force can integrate to successfully achieve common objectives.”

Airmen were afforded the opportunity to visit the RAF station through Squadron Leader Paul Graham, RAF commander Mildenhall.  

Graham said the trip provided a platform to bring U.S. and RAF personnel closer together and promote the sharing of best practices.  

“Regardless of specialization, the visit highlighted the similarities in ethos that we share as Airmen and as air forces, which enable us to collaboratively work alongside each other,” he added.

Although Team Mildenhall Airmen were able to attend only a portion of the four-day event, their visit led to a better understanding of RAF airpower potential and helped strengthen interoperability with our oldest ally.