by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Longoria
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
7/28/2015 - ROYAL AIR FORCE MARHAM, England -- More
than 10,000 RAF and U.S. Air Force Airmen, as well as theit families
were invited to this year's 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Families and Friends Day event at RAF Marham, July 23.
The event organizer, Squadron Leader Steve Donnellan, was enthusiastic
about making this year's Family and Friends Day a memorable one.
"This event is a very special day which enables families and friends of
serving personnel to come onto the station and see what their loved ones
do. There are many static displays where people can ask questions and
children can understand what their serving parent's role is," he said.
This year, RAF Marham invited RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall Airmen and
their families to attend the event, to enhance the partnership between
the bases. With both RAFs Marham and Lakenheath slated to base the F-35
Lighting II, that partnership is only expected to grow.
"As we move toward the F-35, it requires that close operational
relationship to enhance the operational effectiveness of the aircraft.
We will continue working very closely in the future with U.S. Air Forces
and looking for ways to improve the operational, engineering and
logistics aspects of the mission," Donnellan said.
He went on to say that this year's event was made very special for
Marham families, as the U.S. Air Forces conducted a F-15 Eagle flyover
as well as provided several ground displays like the CV-22 Osprey and
MC-130J Commando II aircraft, military working dogs, an Explosive
Ordinance Disposal team and much more.
"We are so busy throughout the year, this is a day to just get together
to relax and make new friends in a fantastic atmosphere," he added.
Many Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing, 100th Air Refueling Wing and
352nd Special Operations Wing expressed how much they enjoyed their time
at RAF Marham. In addition to watching the airshow, attendees enjoyed
bouncy castles, WWII re-enactments, a skate park and archery during the
event.
"I think it's awesome that they invited us out here," said Staff Sgt.
Peter Musinde, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance
technician. "It shows that they want us to be part of their family. I'm
happy to be able to come out here and spend the time with my son and
show him all the different aircraft and to see how the RAF do their
jobs."
Fourteen flying displays were place, including two F-15C Eagles, a
Typhoon FGR4, four Tornados GR4, The Falcons and the RAF Acrobatic Team
Red Arrows.
"Our favorite part of the airshow was seeing the Red Arrows," said Musinde. "My son really enjoyed seeing the colored smoke."
The event ended with a 1940s themed hangar party with historic aircraft static displays, live music and jive dancing.
RAFs Marham, Lakenheath and Mildenhall's service member's joint efforts made the day memorable.
by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton
501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
7/13/2015 - RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom -- The room began to shake.
Pens and pencils clattered along instrument panels as a dull roar
drowned out all other sounds. Inside the room, a dark-haired woman stood
motionless, watching the ground below from her lofty tower.
Her eyes followed as a B-52 Stratofortress sped past her window, its
long wings wobbling, fighting against gravity to push the enormous hulk
skyward. Still she watched, almost willing the beast to fly - as the
fire behind her eyes betrayed her calm exterior.
"It's unbelievable that you can take a piece of metal and have it fly,"
she said, as gravity finally gave way and the B-52 ascended into the
clouds above RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 8. "People dream of
flying, but when you're in the sky, or you're in control and trying to
make something work and come together - it's the most amazing feeling."
For 35 years Zelda Montoya has stood in her tower, overlooking
flightlines around the world and guiding aircraft to and from home. To
her, the sky is not made up of fleecy clouds and endless expanses of
blue, but rather lines, grids and waypoints.
"I see a map in the sky," the retired U.S. Air Force chief master
sergeant, and current air traffic manager, said. "To see that huge piece
of metal actually fly and cross the Atlantic, with its global reach, is
such an incredible feeling that never goes away."
That intense love for aircraft did not begin the day Montoya enlisted.
It began with a little girl who was fascinated with flight.
"When I was little, I was really amazed by helicopters," she said. "It just stuck with me. It's a love for airplanes."
From those humble beginnings through her career as an Airman and beyond,
Montoya was able to see the world from the window of her tower,
watching as airpower developed from an abstract concept to personal
mantra.
"Airpower, to me, is like having an aircraft depart from a flightline,"
Montoya said, motioning to her stomach with both hands. "You just feel
it from the inside, and you know you're ready. You are out in front,
ready anytime, anywhere."
As the air traffic manager at RAF Fairford, Montoya embodies that
concept. She must be ready to turn the minimally-staffed installation
into a fully-functional, active base within 48 hours. The critical
capability present at RAF Fairford offers a unique and strategic role in
bomber contingency operations across Europe. It takes Montoya, and a
team of dedicated professionals, intense focus and dedication to ensure
the installation is able to support U.S. commitment to its Allies and
enhance regional security.
"When you're in the control tower, you almost have a 3-D vision in your
mind," she said. "It's basically having a plan A, plan B and plan C, and
seeing everything in a very different light in order to make it all
work."
Montoya said experience has taught her how to manage plan A, while
simultaneously coordinating plan B and C in her head. It is a skill she
eagerly imparts to Airmen.
"To pass on knowledge to younger Airmen is really a humbling
experience," she said. "They want to learn, they want to know, and it's
really important to pass that experience along. It keeps this passion
within us, and keeps it alive."
Despite the stress often associated with managing aerial operations,
Montoya said her fellow controllers are part of the reason she stayed in
the career field as long as she has.
"The best tool is the controllers pulling together and relying heavily
on one another," she said, as emotion crept into her voice. "It's like a
big family. We share the same experiences, the same feelings and we
understand each other. I love them for who they are and what they do."
She paused, and looked out the window again, as a single tear welled up in her eye and trickled down her face.
"My worst day will be when I leave."
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