JAC Parking Lot Opening Responds to Need; Honors Fallen Member

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  The World War Two runway of the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) at RAF Molesworth is long gone but the memory of the service and sacrifice of the 7,336 men who served here from 1942 - 1945 remains.   

The former end of the runway where B-17 Flying Fortresses returning from raids over Nazi occupied Europe touched down, often with battle damage and wounded aboard, is now covered by a new parking lot responding to quality of worklife concerns in a recent command climate survey.

The connection between this new construction and our link with our predecessors over 65 years ago, prompted the JIOCEUR Analytic Center Commander, Marine Corps Col. Pete Devlin to honor a late JAC member whose service as historian and liaison with the 303rd Bomb Group Association maintained the legacy of those heroes for the servicemembers and civilians assigned here today.

After retiring in 1992 from the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer, Lt Col Brian S. McGuire worked as a contractor at RAF Molesworth. His love of history and his close association with the 303rd Bomb Group ensured folks at RAF Molesworth would always remember those who served before them. Lt. Col. McGuire honored those who served in World War II by arranging visits of veterans, tours of the base, hangar dances and much more. He was instrumental in raising funds for the 303rd Bomb Group Memorial which is the first thing visitors see when they enter the gate. When Brian McGuire passed away August 31, 2005 after a long illness, the world lost a great Airman. To honor this great American, the Brian S. McGuire Memorial parking lot will be dedicated in his honor. 

Construction of the lot supervised by the 423rd Civil Engineering Squadron Commander Lt. Col Eric Hoversten, and UK MoD Defence Estates began in early July and finished ahead of schedule. The lot has 146 spaces including 6 handicapped spaces and 4 reserved spots for award winners.  

During a ceremony on September 29th, a sign honoring Lt. Col. Brian Mcguire was unveiled.  Upon Col Devlin's signal, a pickup truck belonging to JAC junior enlisted award winner Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Gray blasted through the ribbon held by JAC Senior Enlisted Leader. Navy Master Chief John C. Frakes, and Intelligence Division Superintendent, Senior Master Sergeant Mary A. Bechdel to officially open the lot for use.