Thank you so much for sharing this! My father was stationed there 72 to 76. We lived on Portal Drive, you went right by our old house! I love living there. Best part if my childhood.
@joycekoyama795917 күн бұрын
Thank you for the memories. We were stationed at Upper Heyford in 1969-1971. I am still so thankful for the opportunity to see this part of the world and have lived in the English community in Somerton. Great benefits as an Air Force brat that most kids don't enjoy. Some wonderful memories!
@robw302727 күн бұрын
Thanks for the tour. I wish I had been there when the F-111's were in residence. A feeling of sadness though- the past has been swept away.
@philparrott442429 күн бұрын
I was stationed at RAF Croughton from 1976 to 1979. always loved the nurses at Stoke Manville Hospital in Aylesbury. Good times and good memories.
@EM-od6guАй бұрын
My sister attended in mid 80s. I was to young.
@PS-ru2ovАй бұрын
how come you were able to go on base??, I remember visiting an american friend of mine sadly i have lost touch with them when they were based there in 2005, amazing place for a British person like me felt weird using US $ in the UK!!! i visited Lakenheath i would love to go on base again
@Chelveston78Ай бұрын
In answer to your question. My Father was USAF (Retired) and we'd meet up at these Bases - more often RAF Upper Heyford when active and RAF Croughton. Civilian access is controlled and is limited to those on either 'Official Business' or those sponsored by either an Active Duty or Retired USAF member - effectively they 'sign you in' at the Base and are responsible for you during the visit/stay. And yes, these installations are amazing - 'Small Town USA' in a foreign land.
@daz6637Ай бұрын
I did the Army short rigger course in 1998! Still used wellies at Stenigot.😂
@stevenrawlinson8752Ай бұрын
i lived at RAF SCULTHORPE 683B CAMBRIDGE STREET 75-77 DAD WAS POSTED AT RAF WEST RAYNHAM
@pattondiorama7136Ай бұрын
I was stationed there 1990-1992. Had some great times there.
@YourUncleMortyАй бұрын
I was there in 77 TDY from Wiesbaden. My team and I Built the guard tower shown at the beginning of the video. I have seen it in a few other recent videos. It's Good to know it's still standing......Mark Arbogast
@johnexford3281Ай бұрын
I was stationed there '87 to '91......Fire Fighter...Met my wife and had a great life.....👍👍
@jasonwhitaker29632 ай бұрын
My father was weapons loader at RAF Bentwaters from Oct. 71 - June 76. Thanks for posting the video.
@James-gf9jl2 ай бұрын
For "Urban Explorers" read "Vandals".
@maxwellfan552 ай бұрын
We will never forget hosting our dear American friends who remain UK brothers and sisters in arms.
@grh98852 ай бұрын
I was there 1984 -1988. Go POL
@peppifree1232 ай бұрын
20th TFW 1980/81 "Sleep tight tonight, Heyfords on alert"
@user-ul9rp7di4o2 ай бұрын
Graduated high school in 78 and stationed at Bentwaters and Woodbridge with Security Police. Was 18 and 19 so I guess some of the students on the school buses that entered through the main gate were my age. Loved this base. Wrapped up my 6 year enlistment at Edwards AFB on my 24th birthday as SSgt then off to CA Highway Patrol Academy the month after.
@johnnysea72 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting this video. I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford from November 1979 to November 1981. It was my first assignment after Technical School, I was a fresh 17-year-old Airman Basic then. 😱 Looking at your video, I recognized the Base Exchange, Movie Theater, & Bowling Alley. Other than that, I did not recognize anything else. It looks like a different place -- I guess it IS a different place now 45 years later (geez, I'm old). Oddly enough, the lasting takeaway from my experience there was, not so much the work I did there, (it sucked) but it was the music (which definitely did NOT suck). Since it was my first time in a different country, everything was new and different to me. I remember taking a keen interest in this new music I was hearing on BBC1, from these bands that I had never heard of before, like The Police, Human League, Duran Duran, etc. (actually: XTC). Once again, thank you for posting. It took me back to those slightly thrilling days of yesteryear.
@tickledcobweb87642 ай бұрын
I live next to it
@solcasared2 ай бұрын
I remember doing discos with 2 lovely girl dancers in all of the USAF bases including bentwaters in the early 70s All in all 11 different bases a real education and fun
@gemsfreak52782 ай бұрын
I was there when Col. Kelly crashed. I was 10 and I remember this event. I think he had a daughter about my age. Wethersfield AFB, 4 years. We first lived off-base in Castle Headingham and eventually moved on base into a tiny trailer park. I am glad I can still remember!
@rodpettet28192 ай бұрын
I just discovered this. Such joy. Swinderby was my first posting out of Boy Entrant training in 1961. So many memories jogged by your excellent photos. Your coverage is simply the best. Thanks. So sad nothing left. I was a wireless tech then, working in the new control tower and what was known then as the old tower. On top of which there was a small room with a round window we used as a workshop and hiding place out of sight. Nice camp with many attractive WAFs. Flying training with Vampires. Very cold in winter.
@jasonwhitaker29632 ай бұрын
Thanks for posting the video. I was an USAF brat. My father was stationed their from October 1971 to June 1976. Had base housing at RAF Woodbridge. Spent in Great Glenham and Ipswich before getting base housing.
@buffplums2 ай бұрын
If some of the design from the TSRII didnt go into that aircraft I would eat my old RAF beret
@thomaslake29462 ай бұрын
Were is rendlesham
@Chelveston782 ай бұрын
Hi, the original settlement at Rendlesham was/is to the West of the former RAF Bentwaters. A settlement since Medieval times, in fact earlier. The 14th Century St. Gregory's Church still survives? Interestingly and very recently (2022), there have been archaeological digs around Rendlesham sheading more light on the areas early settlement. I would suggest that you check out Google Maps satellite imagery which may explain better how the area would have looked if you exclude the Base? Today, the Domestic Site at the former Base forms part of the 'New Village Community' of Rendlesham. Hope this answers your question? All the best.
@user-sv4pj5jl8n3 ай бұрын
The 1940's music doesn't work for this presentation. When I worked there in the late 1980's -1990's the music was more energetic. Why not re-edit using Big Country singing "In a Big Country" and Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and The Clash "Rock the Casaba". Also, the parody song "Bomb, Bomb Iraq" fits the mood of 20th TFW personnel from the Wing Commander down to the one striper Knuckle Buster maintaining our Aardvarks and Ravens. Just saying, a USAF RAF Upper Heyford Vet.
@Chelveston782 ай бұрын
Hi and thank you for your comment. I understand your point and I debated about what music score to add to this video. My final choice was purely subjective by not focussing on any particular time frame during the USAF era (1950 - 1994) but highlighting the long US presence at RAF Upper Heyford with some Glenn Miller 'American Swing.' By the way, some good 1980's song titles you list. All the best...
@user-sv4pj5jl8n2 ай бұрын
My dad would have appreciated the Glen Miller music as he sailed the Pacific at 13 knots on board the USS Kangaroo in 1945.
@conneryc3 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting this “tour”. I was stationed at RAF Croughton from 1986 - 89 as a 307x0/493x0. My two oldest sons were both born at the UH base hospital. All shipping was done at the UH Commissary and BX. I really miss my time there.
@tobyeez3 ай бұрын
Captain Pletcher. You here. Lt Lazarus.
@tobyeez3 ай бұрын
The whiskey area. 81 SPS. 88-92. Good ole days. Sound off 81st. Line up for guard mount.
@rongoulet93033 ай бұрын
Mark, lot of these buildings ate not familiar as I was stationed there June 68 to Ja. 72.
@malcolmmckinlay21433 ай бұрын
You have missed off the biggest RAF Burtonwood over 59,000 personal and seven satalites
@Chelveston783 ай бұрын
Hi and thank you for your comment and for referencing RAF Burtonwood. This RAF/USAF installation was not included in this presentation as it didn't fit the criteria of the video - 'USAF Bases in Britain 1968 - Today' with its role as an Operational USAF Base having long since ended though I am aware that from 1967, the US Army used the Station as a Storage Facility until its closure in the early 1990's thus maintaining the United States connection. Another RAF Station consigned to the History Books but thankfully a Heritage Centre has been created so preserving the memory of this once important Base. I wish you well.
@ihazdashcam3 ай бұрын
6:38 My house from 86-87 on the left where the blue car is parked
@CarlWatts-pv7vb3 ай бұрын
I was station there from 77-79 worked in the gym and played some basketball during the days when Hank Brown was the star player. Carl Watts was my name remember?
@grahamcharles69974 ай бұрын
Worked with a band in the 80's, gigged here and most other American bases throughout the UK. the American hospitality was second to none, we were treated like lords and ladies. I lived near Upper Heyford and Croughton and had many American friends, most who went back to the USA as the bases closed one by one,. Some of the best times of my life.
@angelsone-five79124 ай бұрын
Aint progress a wonderful thing ? 🤮
@user-sv5iy4ch5p4 ай бұрын
I still have fond memories of RAF Bentwaters and those F4’s 1971- 73!! Thanks for the video!!!
@jimkelly54574 ай бұрын
My first duty assignment in ¹969 straight out of basic. 20th SPS. I spent one and a half years there when th3 powers to be started down sizing the base. Myself a nd many were transferred to Torrejon, Spain. My four years in Europe was the best education a young man of 18 could ever hope for. Beautiful country and fond memories?
@clc2112Ай бұрын
My first duty station as an SP, too. 85-87. Wonderful experience. RAF Mayberry
@edcartadittmer4 ай бұрын
I was there from 72 to 75 81st SPS
@angelsone-five79125 ай бұрын
Excellent.
@KABModels5 ай бұрын
You were lucky, i got booted out by some fat knacker after taking some photos in 2018
@pauljirinec27725 ай бұрын
77-83 then again 89-91. A lot has changed. It is nice to see that something has been done with the location.
@user-rb5qh6wf9d5 ай бұрын
Can't believe I found this! I was researching online for images of the base housing (lived there 1964-1974) as I have no personal pictures - only in my mind. In Google Earth I can pretty much figure out where (back of house faced a forest and kitchen window faced a neighbor's kitchen window as my bio mother always stuck her tongue out to that neighbor when she saw her in her kitchen). Its not a huge forest but to a little girl it is! So the elementary school, is that the same one back in the 60s? We moved to the States in '74. Within a couple of years I ended up in the foster system and no contact with most of my bio family since. What memories I do have cannot be confirmed by parents or siblings and you know what they say about memories as we get older... I thank you for bringing childhood memories back to me! I know you say this is the longer version of your video - but to me it's not long enough! :) Bless you for this!
@john079735 ай бұрын
My late Mum served as a WAAF with 38 Group 1944/45 Stirlings towed gliders for the Rhine crossing from there. Very sad to see what the airfield is being used for now
@garynewton74785 ай бұрын
Better late than never my returned to the he UK servicing 5yrs at RAF Bentwaters in 1968 before returning to California his home state finishing his career at Mather AFB which in turn was an hours drive from where he was born
@garynewton74786 ай бұрын
My father was here in the 1950's and again in the 1980's he married a English lass from Manchester i myself was born at RAF Burtonwood my dad retired in 1976 as a master sergeant we lost dad last year be was buried with full military honours thanks to RAF Lakenheath sending the guys to do the honours they in the town he called had never seen anything like this the father said to me he was really moved by it all as were me and the family he served his country with pride RIP dad x
@Chelveston786 ай бұрын
Thank you for your comment. A fine tribute to your late Father. I wish you all the best...
@garynewton74786 ай бұрын
I did forget to tell you that my late mum and dad are buried together in a beautiful cemetery 🪦 at a place in Scotland called Fort Augustus truly the most lovely place for both of them miss them both xx
@Chelveston786 ай бұрын
A fitting postscript to your original message. May they Rest in Peace. @@garynewton7478
@garynewton74786 ай бұрын
Thank you for that 🙏
@JohnnieStewart-vh9oc4 күн бұрын
My great grandfather was an American airman who married an English women in Burtonwood! It's a very American town
@brucelaclaire28726 ай бұрын
I was there in 1964
@janicestephens86436 ай бұрын
Thank you for posting this. We were there from 89-91 and loved every minute of it. It’s great to see it!
@ihazdashcam6 ай бұрын
So sad. That was a great high school. I went there 8th & 9th grade 85-87
@michaeledlin99956 ай бұрын
I was there from Eglin. 3201 SVS
@rockesark96897 ай бұрын
I was able to find my father in the group picture at about time 0:48 with the B-47. We still have this photo at home. I was very young at the time and went to school there but my older sister was in High School and was bused to Lakenheath since at the time Upper Hayford didn't have a high school. We lived just on the corner by the Base Chapel so I enjoyed seeing you drive by the old homestead. We had moved to Upper Hayford from RAF Brize Norton. Thanks so much for this video.
@Chelveston787 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your memories, I'm pleased you were able to identify images and scenes that are personal to you. All the best...
Пікірлер
Thank you so much for sharing this! My father was stationed there 72 to 76. We lived on Portal Drive, you went right by our old house! I love living there. Best part if my childhood.
Thank you for the memories. We were stationed at Upper Heyford in 1969-1971. I am still so thankful for the opportunity to see this part of the world and have lived in the English community in Somerton. Great benefits as an Air Force brat that most kids don't enjoy. Some wonderful memories!
Thanks for the tour. I wish I had been there when the F-111's were in residence. A feeling of sadness though- the past has been swept away.
I was stationed at RAF Croughton from 1976 to 1979. always loved the nurses at Stoke Manville Hospital in Aylesbury. Good times and good memories.
My sister attended in mid 80s. I was to young.
how come you were able to go on base??, I remember visiting an american friend of mine sadly i have lost touch with them when they were based there in 2005, amazing place for a British person like me felt weird using US $ in the UK!!! i visited Lakenheath i would love to go on base again
In answer to your question. My Father was USAF (Retired) and we'd meet up at these Bases - more often RAF Upper Heyford when active and RAF Croughton. Civilian access is controlled and is limited to those on either 'Official Business' or those sponsored by either an Active Duty or Retired USAF member - effectively they 'sign you in' at the Base and are responsible for you during the visit/stay. And yes, these installations are amazing - 'Small Town USA' in a foreign land.
I did the Army short rigger course in 1998! Still used wellies at Stenigot.😂
i lived at RAF SCULTHORPE 683B CAMBRIDGE STREET 75-77 DAD WAS POSTED AT RAF WEST RAYNHAM
I was stationed there 1990-1992. Had some great times there.
I was there in 77 TDY from Wiesbaden. My team and I Built the guard tower shown at the beginning of the video. I have seen it in a few other recent videos. It's Good to know it's still standing......Mark Arbogast
I was stationed there '87 to '91......Fire Fighter...Met my wife and had a great life.....👍👍
My father was weapons loader at RAF Bentwaters from Oct. 71 - June 76. Thanks for posting the video.
For "Urban Explorers" read "Vandals".
We will never forget hosting our dear American friends who remain UK brothers and sisters in arms.
I was there 1984 -1988. Go POL
20th TFW 1980/81 "Sleep tight tonight, Heyfords on alert"
Graduated high school in 78 and stationed at Bentwaters and Woodbridge with Security Police. Was 18 and 19 so I guess some of the students on the school buses that entered through the main gate were my age. Loved this base. Wrapped up my 6 year enlistment at Edwards AFB on my 24th birthday as SSgt then off to CA Highway Patrol Academy the month after.
Thank you for posting this video. I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford from November 1979 to November 1981. It was my first assignment after Technical School, I was a fresh 17-year-old Airman Basic then. 😱 Looking at your video, I recognized the Base Exchange, Movie Theater, & Bowling Alley. Other than that, I did not recognize anything else. It looks like a different place -- I guess it IS a different place now 45 years later (geez, I'm old). Oddly enough, the lasting takeaway from my experience there was, not so much the work I did there, (it sucked) but it was the music (which definitely did NOT suck). Since it was my first time in a different country, everything was new and different to me. I remember taking a keen interest in this new music I was hearing on BBC1, from these bands that I had never heard of before, like The Police, Human League, Duran Duran, etc. (actually: XTC). Once again, thank you for posting. It took me back to those slightly thrilling days of yesteryear.
I live next to it
I remember doing discos with 2 lovely girl dancers in all of the USAF bases including bentwaters in the early 70s All in all 11 different bases a real education and fun
I was there when Col. Kelly crashed. I was 10 and I remember this event. I think he had a daughter about my age. Wethersfield AFB, 4 years. We first lived off-base in Castle Headingham and eventually moved on base into a tiny trailer park. I am glad I can still remember!
I just discovered this. Such joy. Swinderby was my first posting out of Boy Entrant training in 1961. So many memories jogged by your excellent photos. Your coverage is simply the best. Thanks. So sad nothing left. I was a wireless tech then, working in the new control tower and what was known then as the old tower. On top of which there was a small room with a round window we used as a workshop and hiding place out of sight. Nice camp with many attractive WAFs. Flying training with Vampires. Very cold in winter.
Thanks for posting the video. I was an USAF brat. My father was stationed their from October 1971 to June 1976. Had base housing at RAF Woodbridge. Spent in Great Glenham and Ipswich before getting base housing.
If some of the design from the TSRII didnt go into that aircraft I would eat my old RAF beret
Were is rendlesham
Hi, the original settlement at Rendlesham was/is to the West of the former RAF Bentwaters. A settlement since Medieval times, in fact earlier. The 14th Century St. Gregory's Church still survives? Interestingly and very recently (2022), there have been archaeological digs around Rendlesham sheading more light on the areas early settlement. I would suggest that you check out Google Maps satellite imagery which may explain better how the area would have looked if you exclude the Base? Today, the Domestic Site at the former Base forms part of the 'New Village Community' of Rendlesham. Hope this answers your question? All the best.
The 1940's music doesn't work for this presentation. When I worked there in the late 1980's -1990's the music was more energetic. Why not re-edit using Big Country singing "In a Big Country" and Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and The Clash "Rock the Casaba". Also, the parody song "Bomb, Bomb Iraq" fits the mood of 20th TFW personnel from the Wing Commander down to the one striper Knuckle Buster maintaining our Aardvarks and Ravens. Just saying, a USAF RAF Upper Heyford Vet.
Hi and thank you for your comment. I understand your point and I debated about what music score to add to this video. My final choice was purely subjective by not focussing on any particular time frame during the USAF era (1950 - 1994) but highlighting the long US presence at RAF Upper Heyford with some Glenn Miller 'American Swing.' By the way, some good 1980's song titles you list. All the best...
My dad would have appreciated the Glen Miller music as he sailed the Pacific at 13 knots on board the USS Kangaroo in 1945.
Thank you for posting this “tour”. I was stationed at RAF Croughton from 1986 - 89 as a 307x0/493x0. My two oldest sons were both born at the UH base hospital. All shipping was done at the UH Commissary and BX. I really miss my time there.
Captain Pletcher. You here. Lt Lazarus.
The whiskey area. 81 SPS. 88-92. Good ole days. Sound off 81st. Line up for guard mount.
Mark, lot of these buildings ate not familiar as I was stationed there June 68 to Ja. 72.
You have missed off the biggest RAF Burtonwood over 59,000 personal and seven satalites
Hi and thank you for your comment and for referencing RAF Burtonwood. This RAF/USAF installation was not included in this presentation as it didn't fit the criteria of the video - 'USAF Bases in Britain 1968 - Today' with its role as an Operational USAF Base having long since ended though I am aware that from 1967, the US Army used the Station as a Storage Facility until its closure in the early 1990's thus maintaining the United States connection. Another RAF Station consigned to the History Books but thankfully a Heritage Centre has been created so preserving the memory of this once important Base. I wish you well.
6:38 My house from 86-87 on the left where the blue car is parked
I was station there from 77-79 worked in the gym and played some basketball during the days when Hank Brown was the star player. Carl Watts was my name remember?
Worked with a band in the 80's, gigged here and most other American bases throughout the UK. the American hospitality was second to none, we were treated like lords and ladies. I lived near Upper Heyford and Croughton and had many American friends, most who went back to the USA as the bases closed one by one,. Some of the best times of my life.
Aint progress a wonderful thing ? 🤮
I still have fond memories of RAF Bentwaters and those F4’s 1971- 73!! Thanks for the video!!!
My first duty assignment in ¹969 straight out of basic. 20th SPS. I spent one and a half years there when th3 powers to be started down sizing the base. Myself a nd many were transferred to Torrejon, Spain. My four years in Europe was the best education a young man of 18 could ever hope for. Beautiful country and fond memories?
My first duty station as an SP, too. 85-87. Wonderful experience. RAF Mayberry
I was there from 72 to 75 81st SPS
Excellent.
You were lucky, i got booted out by some fat knacker after taking some photos in 2018
77-83 then again 89-91. A lot has changed. It is nice to see that something has been done with the location.
Can't believe I found this! I was researching online for images of the base housing (lived there 1964-1974) as I have no personal pictures - only in my mind. In Google Earth I can pretty much figure out where (back of house faced a forest and kitchen window faced a neighbor's kitchen window as my bio mother always stuck her tongue out to that neighbor when she saw her in her kitchen). Its not a huge forest but to a little girl it is! So the elementary school, is that the same one back in the 60s? We moved to the States in '74. Within a couple of years I ended up in the foster system and no contact with most of my bio family since. What memories I do have cannot be confirmed by parents or siblings and you know what they say about memories as we get older... I thank you for bringing childhood memories back to me! I know you say this is the longer version of your video - but to me it's not long enough! :) Bless you for this!
My late Mum served as a WAAF with 38 Group 1944/45 Stirlings towed gliders for the Rhine crossing from there. Very sad to see what the airfield is being used for now
Better late than never my returned to the he UK servicing 5yrs at RAF Bentwaters in 1968 before returning to California his home state finishing his career at Mather AFB which in turn was an hours drive from where he was born
My father was here in the 1950's and again in the 1980's he married a English lass from Manchester i myself was born at RAF Burtonwood my dad retired in 1976 as a master sergeant we lost dad last year be was buried with full military honours thanks to RAF Lakenheath sending the guys to do the honours they in the town he called had never seen anything like this the father said to me he was really moved by it all as were me and the family he served his country with pride RIP dad x
Thank you for your comment. A fine tribute to your late Father. I wish you all the best...
I did forget to tell you that my late mum and dad are buried together in a beautiful cemetery 🪦 at a place in Scotland called Fort Augustus truly the most lovely place for both of them miss them both xx
A fitting postscript to your original message. May they Rest in Peace. @@garynewton7478
Thank you for that 🙏
My great grandfather was an American airman who married an English women in Burtonwood! It's a very American town
I was there in 1964
Thank you for posting this. We were there from 89-91 and loved every minute of it. It’s great to see it!
So sad. That was a great high school. I went there 8th & 9th grade 85-87
I was there from Eglin. 3201 SVS
I was able to find my father in the group picture at about time 0:48 with the B-47. We still have this photo at home. I was very young at the time and went to school there but my older sister was in High School and was bused to Lakenheath since at the time Upper Hayford didn't have a high school. We lived just on the corner by the Base Chapel so I enjoyed seeing you drive by the old homestead. We had moved to Upper Hayford from RAF Brize Norton. Thanks so much for this video.
Thank you for sharing your memories, I'm pleased you were able to identify images and scenes that are personal to you. All the best...