Honorary Commanders and leadership from Royal Air Force Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall assembled during the Yuletide reception at RAF Lakenheath, England, Dec. 7, 2018.
The event was co-hosted by the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the 352nd Special Operations Wing and the 48th Fighter Wing. It provided attendees a chance to reflect on the past year with partners from across East Anglia.
“The support we receive from our local communities is invaluable,” said Col. Will Marshall, 48th Fighter Wing commander. “We are fortunate to have a long-standing history of great partnerships created through our Honorary Commanders Program, and this reception serves as a small token of our appreciation.”
The Honorary Commanders Program is a civic outreach initiative designed to foster positive relationships between Air Force leaders and their British neighbors. The collaborative program builds long-term relationships that bind together the U.S. military and U.K. civilian communities.
“The Yuletide Reception was a wonderful opportunity to enhance the connectivity between the American visiting servicemen and women and local dignitaries from the wide area surrounding the base,” said John Cushing, the 48th Fighter Wing Honorary commander.
Events like this provide unmatched opportunities for senior U.S. military members and U.K. community leaders to further build trust and comradery.