Hope for Mildenhall Air Fete

From the horses mouth…well nearly.

Just got this e-mail back from the 100th PA

Mr.*****, while here at Mildenhall Col. Murrie will continue to look at the possibility of bringing back the fete. There are many things to be concerned with including security but I want to ensure you understand in no way is planning ongoing. We are simply looking at options at this point. One of the reports was somewhat misleading as it read she’s actively planning an air show right now which simply is not true. The most accurate piece about her comments was written by John Goode of the Cambridge Evening News.

Thank you.

V/RCapt. Jamie Humphries Director, 100th Public Affairs,RAF Mildenhall

hi guys,

two things here, i have been to more air fetes than you can shake a stick at, they are split 50/50 good and bad, you definitely get a better selection of aircraft at the “hall”, but i must say the best airshow used to be at Alconbury, not so many aircraft, but the whole thing was far better, where elses could you shelter under a front line aircraft when it started raining! and the BBQ’s and Bud were fantastic.

the second comment about security, i drive a truck, delivering tarmac and aggregates, i have been to most bases, brit and yank, to get in a british base takes forever, when we were delivering to Alconbury, they just used to wave us straight through, and then we would make our own way across the runway to the far side, months later we turned up and were told that their was a new base commander and could we make sure we behaved and did thing by the book, later that day, i was sitting on site when one of our mates drove over a red line into the middle of the hardend shelters, he had only gone 50yds before being surrounded by big burly armed guards and thrown into the cells for over 30mins, at this point i nearly wet my pants laughing at him, needless to say after this we were escorted to and from the job every time.
just resently we were delivering to a radar site on the edge of Thetford forrest, getting in there was a nightmare, one of the drivers ignored an order to stop, he did stop(something to do with a guns shoved in his face) he was then promtly thown out of the base.

now the british won’t let you go anywhere without proper escort and all the paperwork,, it took me 3hrs one day to get into RAF Thurleigh, and i am easy to trace because i am ex force’s and still under the offical sercrets act.

just a image of happier days,

I have to admit I’d like to see it get off the ground again so that maybe I’d get a chance to attend one.

A quick google reveals that Colonel Eden J Murrie is indeed wing commander.:)

Martin Klukas 3rd Air Force command chief
Col Eden J Murrie 100th Air Refueling Wing commander
Command Chief Master Sgt Michael J Warner 100th ARW command chief
Col Michael Saville 100th Maintenance Group commander

Her Bio makes for a good read too.
http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=9974

Why?

I’ve just watched the programme, she, Colonel Eden J Murrie, a nav on KC-135’s as well, ( it showed her specially painted 50’s built a/c being overhauled in the hangar), intends bringing back Air Fete if security issues can be overcome, and that’s the big problem for them isn’t it.

That’s the Americans all over though. They are paranoid about security yet they have some of the worst security I’ve ever come across, certainly from a military aspect. They seem to think the guard on the main gate armed to the teeth makes the place secure but ignore the gaping hole in the back fence you could drive a ten ton truck through.

Why?

The wing commander has the real power and would have the final say to have an open house.

If it’s the “wing commander” (remember, a position in the USAF, not a rank) it might happen pending approval of USAFE HQ.

If it’s the “base commander” (a commonbly used term for the support group commander) that’s a different situation.

Why?

I’ve just watched the programme, she, Colonel Eden J Murrie, a nav on KC-135’s as well, ( it showed her specially painted 50’s built a/c being overhauled in the hangar), intends bringing back Air Fete if security issues can be overcome, and that’s the big problem for them isn’t it.

If it’s the “wing commander” (remember, a position in the USAF, not a rank) it might happen pending approval of USAFE HQ.

If it’s the “base commander” (a commonbly used term for the support group commander) that’s a different situation.