Air Fete

[yamangman]

Mildenhall Air Fete 2005?

RAF MILDENHALL, England — Air show enthusiasts may see the return next year (2005) of one of Europe’s largest air shows — OR something similar.

The 100th Air Refueling Wing is still pondering the possibility of hosting Air Fete in 2005 after a three-year absence, although it could be smaller than the two-day event of past years. “We are planning on doing a big community relations event of some type in late spring or early summer,” said Col. Richard Devereaux, the wing commander.One possibility being considered is Air Fete, which hasn’t been held since 2001 because of security concerns and operational tempo since the start of the war on terror. Another option being considered is an event limited to residents of local villages and towns where American airmen live. That could be a small event for invitees only or a larger event with some sort of pass program that would welcome up to 20,000 residents of the local villages and towns. Those events would include base tours, static aircraft displays and, perhaps, some sort of flying show, Devereaux said.

“I think it is important that we do a big event here,” said Devereaux, to lower barriers that have been raised between the base and the local communities. Ken Thompson, a local businessman and member of the British-American Committee on the base, agreed that something should be done. “It’s got to the point where it’s inside-the-fence and outside-the- fence,” he said. “That’s horrible. I think that’s rubbish.” Devereaux said the base is talking with local governments, Suffolk County police, the Ministry of Defence and U.S. Air Forces in Europe while it considers which option will work best. The wing must look at the potential mission tempo for next spring and early summer and consider security requirements for any event. “Cost is going to be a factor in any of the options we look at,” he said.

Stars And Stripes

Mildenhall Latest

According to the Aircraft Illustrated magazine, a final decision on whether to hold a full blown public airshow or a much smaller event at Mildenhall has yet to be decided. An event is likely to be be held at Mildenhall on Saturday 4th June 2005 but its unlikely to be a large scale event. A spokesman for Team Mildenhall said it was looking at something like a friends & family day and that it would definately not be a return of the Air Fete.

A final decision will be taken in the New Year and its unlikely that a large 2-day event will ever return to Mildenhall. Even a public airshow on a smaller scale is now unlikely for 2005 as it has been left rather late to organise it for June. One of the issues considered by Team Mildenhall is access to the base and if a small 'community appreciation' event is to take place, which seems likely, then some sort of pass system will probably be employed to restrict entry to those who have been invited in advance.

Well bugger me. It's too long a drive to Fairford and even Waddington.