RAF Mildenhall, England -- In a time-honored tradition symbolizing the passing of responsibility, RAF Mildenhall welcomed seven local leaders into its Honorary Commanders Program during an induction ceremony on base. The ceremony formally recognizes the strong partnership between the installation and the surrounding community.
The Honorary Commanders Program is a U.S. Air Force initiative designed to foster relationships and educate civic leaders on the missions of the U.S. Visiting Forces. Honorary commanders are encouraged to serve for a two year period, acting as key liaisons between the military and civilian communities.
The day’s events provided the new inductees with an in-depth look into the diverse missions at RAF Mildenhall. The group received mission briefs from U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Byrum, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Col. DK Kobs, 352nd Special Operations Wing commander. They also had the opportunity to meet with military working dogs and their handlers, learn about the specialized capabilities of the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, tour a KC-135 Stratotanker, and see the advanced equipment used by the base firefighters and security forces personnel.
“This year's induction ceremony was a fantastic success, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see these new partnerships form," said Natalie Murphy, 100th Air Refueling Wing community relations advisor. "The heart of this program is connecting influential local leaders directly with our commanders. It’s the perfect opportunity to build lasting relationships, foster a deeper understanding of our mission, and further strengthen the incredible bond between the U.S. Visiting Forces and our host nation partners" she added.
The induction ceremony mirrored a military change of command, where a unit’s guidon is passed to the new commander to signify the assumption of responsibility. In this tradition, the new honorary commanders were officially appointed, marking their induction into the RAF Mildenhall family.
The new honorary commanders and their respective units are:
100th Air Refueling Wing Honorary Chief: WO Martin Finney
100th Mission Support Group: Mr. Rory Chamberlain
100th Comptroller Squadron: Ms. Emma Arrand
100th Civil Engineer Squadron: Mr. Dan Whyment
100th Force Support Squadron: Mr. Brian Keane
100th Air Refueling Wing Chapel: Bishop Peter Collins
321st Special Tactics Squadron: Mr. Bruce Crompton
By fostering these connections, the Honorary Commanders Program aims to create and maintain enduring relationships, ensuring a strong and supportive bond between the base and the local community for years to come.