RAF Mildenhall celebrates rich heritage during 75th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Sqn. Ldr. Richard Fryer
  • Royal Air Force station commander
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall can trace its history back to the late 1920s when the British government was establishing airfields in East Anglia from which aircraft could, in the event of war, undertake raids on enemy shipping in the North Sea.

The decision to build an Aerodrome at Beck Row to house two bomber squadrons was made in October 1929 and construction work on the station, named Beck Row Aerodrome was started in spring 1930. Initial construction took three years, and a great many of the original buildings from that period remain today. Of particular note is the then Officers' Mess - now Middleton Hall - and the two original A-Type aircraft sheds - now Buildings 550 and 528.

The station was officially renamed Mildenhall in 1934. The first known flight into the airfield, which stayed on the ground for only a few minutes, happened March 19, 1931. It was followed by three light aircraft May 1, 1931 and another Aug. 12, 1932.

RAF Mildenhall formally opened Oct. 19, 1934 for the start of a landmark in aviation history, the great England to Australia Air Race and the station's history now spans 75 years, during which aviation has advanced enormously.

The winners of the air race took just under 71 hours to fly from Mildenhall to Melbourne, at an average speed of 176 mph. Only 40 years later, the SR-71 Blackbird made the 3,488-mile journey from New York to London, en route to RAF Mildenhall, in just one hour and 55 minutes at an average speed of 1,806 mph.

During World War II bomber crews flying Wellingtons, Stirlings and Lancasters from Mildenhall played a significant part in the success of the RAF strategic bombing offensive against Germany.

The cost, however, was immense with more than 1,900 men killed on active service and more than 200 aircraft lost. The average life of a bomber was only 44 flying hours, yet miraculously, one aircraft from Mildenhall survived to fly 134 operational sorties.

I am immensely proud of the station's RAF heritage, yet, since 1950, RAF Mildenhall has been home to numerous American units whose achievements are also remarkable.

Many have drawn inspiration from the feats of their World War II forebears, and the station's current host unit, the 100th Air Refueling Wing, traces its heritage back to the 100th Bombardment Group, known as the Bloody Hundredth, which flew from Thorpe Abbots, about 30 miles from here, during World War II.

America's commitment to Europe's security continued after World War II and there is no doubt that the many thousands of U.S. Airmen who served at RAF Mildenhall during the Cold War were prepared, if necessary, to die to protect us and the values we hold dear.

More recently, RAF Mildenhall played and continues to play a major part in many other operations, from post-Cold War conflicts and peacekeeping operations to the delivery of humanitarian relief.

The base and its Airmen also play an important role in the local community, conducting voluntary work, helping with local restoration projects and willingly donating time and effort for the good of all.

I am immensely proud that for nearly 75 years, British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and American Airmen and women, and the civilians who have supported them at RAF Mildenhall, have all played their part in upholding the values we share.

The men and women of Team Mildenhall can be rightly proud of their achievements and that they are accepted as part of the local community whom they are hosting May 15 as their guests.