News>Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Vets Visit RAF Molesworth
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Royal Air Force Association Rushden and District members gather in front of the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) memorial during their May 18th visit to RAF Molesworth (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Javier Cruz)
British Children at a 303rd Bomb Group children's party at Molesworth in December 1943 enjoying treats such as Hershey chocolate bars and ice cream rarely seen due to rationing during wartime Britain (Photo 303rd BGA)
by Peter G. Park, Jr., Commander's Action Group
JIOCEUR Analytic Center
6/1/2011 - Royal Air Force Molesworth, England -- Some had flown RAF bombers during the war and met American airmen then, and for at least two of their wives, the Hershey bars provided with lunch here brought tears as they reminded them of the generosity during the war of 303rd Bomb Group airmen. When they were little girls they saw their first ever chocolate bar and ice cream at children's parties sponsored by the 303rd at Christmas or other holidays. Britain was on severe rationing then and a visit to an American airbase was a real thrill.
Hosted at Royal Air Force Molesworth by JIOCEUR Deputy Commander, U.S. Navy Captain Gary S. Powers, and the Tribase Royal Air Force Commander, RAF Squadron Leader Andy Thayne, the group was given briefings on the three major units at today's RAF Molesworth during a working lunch.
Following a tour of base historical sites including the WWII hangar once visited by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) in 1944, and the decommissioned cold war ground launched cruise missile bunker, the group concluded the tour.
The 18 May visit of the Rushden and District RAFA made clear the bonds between our two great nations and that the 'special relationship' recently reaffirmed by our Commander-in-Chief, President Barack H. Obama, and British Prime Minister David W. D. Cameron during the President's recent visit to the United Kingdom, have not diminished over the years.
