Visit of Nene Valley PROBUS Business Club Highlights 501st CSW and JAC Community Outreach

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
For thirty-two members of the Nene Valley PROBUS club of retired business people from the Oundle, England area it was a unique chance to see for themselves the workings of the American military organizations at Royal Air Force Alconbury and Royal Air Force Molesworth.

The group had the opportunity to tour the facilities and meet some of the over two thousand military and civilian personnel working on the two bases.

For the men and women of the 501st Combat Support Wing at RAF Alconbury and the JIOCEUR Analytic Center at RAF Molesworth it was a welcome chance to explain the work that we do, our contributions to the security of the United Kingdom, the United States, and to the collective security of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate our organizational and personal commitment and contributions to this welcoming British community in which we are fortunate to live and work.

At RAF Molesworth the group was briefed by JIOCEUR Analytic Center Deputy Commander, Navy Captain Henry J. "Harry" Babin on the JAC and the other activities on this base and was shown the rich history of this base during both World War II when the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) operated B-17 Flying Fortresses from her runways and the Cold War when the base served for less than a year as one of two bases in the UK for the ground launched cruise missile mission before a treaty with the Soviet Union resulted in the closing of the base. 

At RAF Alconbury, the group was hosted by Air Force Colonel John J. Jordan, Vice Commander of the 501st Combat Support Wing, briefed on the Wing's activities in the UK, and joined the Colonel for a luncheon.  Colonel Jordan noted the importance of the visit: "On behalf of Colonel Kimberly K. Toney, the 501st Combat Support Wing Commander, we were pleased to host the Nene Valley PROBUS Club. We both benefit from such an exchange, we get to tell the community about our Tribase area and in turn we learn much more about the community."

Summing up the visit, the JAC's Captain Babin noted: "On behalf of the JAC Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Peter H. Devlin it was a pleasure for me to welcome this distinguished group of local business people and showcase our important work here and our participation in the local community in which we and our families live. "