RAF Mildenhall welcomes new honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall welcomed eight new honorary commanders to Team Mildenhall while saying farewell to several outgoing honorary commanders April 26 at Middleton Hall.

Honorary commanders support Team Mildenhall Airmen by sharing their professional knowledge, personal experiences, and participating in squadron and wing events. They also serve as base advocates, helping build important relationships for the base throughout the many communities of East Anglia.

"I see my role as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between those who are on opposite sides of the fence," said Anthea Davidson, 100th Mission Support Group honorary commander. "I am really honored to be part of Team Mildenhall and look forward to making a meaningful contribution."

In the style of a military change-of-command ceremony, new honorary commanders were ceremoniously inaugurated into their positions by the commanders of the units they'll serve.

"The Honorary Commander Program serves many purposes, but one of the most important is to strengthen our relations with the local community," said Col. Christopher Kulas, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander. "Although extremely similar, it gives both Americans and British nationals the chance to better understand each other's cultures."

To help transition honorary commanders into the program they are placed into squadrons most suited to their individual careers.

"Honorary commanders are key members of the community and are chosen, where possible, because they work in a career field that mirrors the work of the squadron to which we link them," said Sal Davidson, 100th Air Refueling Wing Community Relations advisor. "This automatically provides some common ground on which to build relationships."

The honorary commanders here are invited to most major events hosted by RAF Mildenhall both on and off base. Commanders are encouraged to invite their honorary commanders to their individual squadron or group events, as well as socialize with their British counterparts off duty to strengthen bonds.

"This program has provided another form of engagement and opportunity for the base and community," said Davidson. "This program has proven to establish lasting friendships between base leadership and honorary commanders, continuing years after they both have left the program."

The significance of change-of-command ceremonies dates back to the time of Frederick the Great of Prussia. During this time, military organizations would carry their individual flags of distinctive colors and designs into combat. At the end of a battle, if soldiers saw their flag still waving, it let them know their side had not met defeat that day.

With the symbolic importance of these flags, it became tradition during the exchange of leadership that the organizational banner would be exchanged in public for all to witness.

Though official change-of-command ceremonies are reserved for military leadership, the ceremony was extended to honorary commanders to establish a bond between them and their new organization.