MoD employee celebrates 57 years on base

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The year was 1959 and the first teenage generation free from conscription emerged in Britain. Young people were given a voice and freedom to do what they wanted with their lives. The parents of the ‘60’s teenage generation spent their youth fighting for their lives in World War II. Because of this they wanted their own children to enjoy their youth and be able to have more fun and freedom. By the early 1960s, teenagers were already significantly different from those of a decade before.

Back then, one 18 year-old-girl wanted a career, and embarked on a journey that would see her celebrate her 75th birthday on the very base at which she began employment 57 years prior.

“On April 27, 1959, I was told to report to the air installations office, which is now home to the base contractors,” said Faith Rutterford, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron secretary. “I worked with around 60 Airmen — an 18 year old’s dream back in the early ‘60’s. I expect that’s the reason today it takes quite a bit to get me to blush.”

It was the people who made her want to be part of the U.S. Air Force all those years ago, and who continue to give her a reason to come to work, even though she is well past retirement age.

“The most important thing is the people; that’s why I come here every day,” Faith reflected. “The people and the friendships I’ve made are the most important to me. I’ve worked for 27 commanders and they have all been different.”

She has seen many people come and go over the years and enjoys the company of everyone, from the colonel who she spends most of her day with, to the newest recruit, coming by to in-process into the squadron.

“The young ones, they keep me young,” she laughed. “People say to me, ‘my goodness — 75 and still working,’ but I enjoy it or I wouldn’t be here. Normally, women retire at 60, I thought I might have to but didn’t really want to. So the colonel at the time extended me for six months at a time. Then at just the right time the UK government came through with a law saying people can work as long as they are able, when before they had to retire at a certain age. I was very blessed.”

Rutterford has seen many other changes over the years in addition to laws and regulations changing.

“The facilities have certainly changed!” she explained. “In my first building, the only heating was one M-41 stove, and to keep warm everyone had to huddle round the stove. The building was like many others at the time — a prefabricated steel structure made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel.”

She is proud to be part of an organization keen to preserve and improve the facilities the host nation provided when the first buildings were constructed in 1930, buildings still standing to this day.

“I have always admired the way we have been able to keep the buildings consistent with the red brick,” Rutterford added. “Mildenhall has kept to its original state and we’ve added new buildings. Now I’m delighted to work in probably one of the best facilities on RAF Mildenhall, building 680. I am glad to be able to serve out my final years in that location.”

Like so many others nearing the end of their working days, Rutterford is apprehensive about what the future holds once she logs off her computer for the final time and hopes she has many years of work to come.

“I have been here more than 50 years and it’s all I’ve known. It pains some people if they suddenly retire and I’m thankful to be here with people I love. I’m here until they try to get rid of me,” Rutterford laughed. “Or until the base closes, whichever is first. It really depends on my health which is excellent just now, and I thank God for that.”

The saying goes, if walls could talk, and if they could, they would tell of one lady approaching 60 years here, who has many stories to tell.

“In 1966 this base was always called ‘sleepy hollow’ as it didn’t have much going for it,” Rutterford explained. “But that was when the U.S. Air Force was asked to leave France quite suddenly, so civil engineers had to go into action to move everyone around to accommodate the new allies sharing the facility.”

Rutterford is from rural England, so when the president of the U.S. came to visit, she was there to see this historic event many people only dream of. She had embraced the Americans as her family, and was keen to see their leader.

“In the 1970s, we had visits from presidents who met with our prime ministers. President Nixon met with Harold Wilson in what is now the home of the wing commander,” she said. “Then in 1975, President Ford visited on his way home to the States. Since then, we’ve had many pass through.”

She has also seen tragedy in her time including worldwide events many hoped never to see and will never forget.

“The 9/11 attacks changed Mildenhall, and the world, completely,” she said sadly. “That day in September changed us all. Our world is not a safe place now and it’s imperative for us to uphold the safe keeping of our nations.”

She also has many happy memories of her time here. This year she was nominated to attend the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in London because of her long exemplary service, where she represented the Ministry of Defence.

Leadership has been key to her time covering more than five decades. Many people spend more time with their work family than they do their family at home. The leaders come and go, but she always remembers the people who have shared her life over the years.

“On all occasions, I thank God for his help and guidance and for all the wonderful times I have spent at RAF Mildenhall, and primarily for all the people I have been associated with down the years,” Rutterford reflected fondly. “I am truly blessed to have met so many great leaders.”

Her leadership is proud to share her journey.

“In many ways, Faith is the heart and soul of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron! Many may attribute this to her outstanding and dedicated service or her longevity, but in actuality, this was due to her positive upbeat attitude and her welcoming smile!” said Lt. Col. Brandon Sokora, 100th CES commander. “I’m honored to serve with her every day, and I’m even more honored and fortunate to call her a friend.”