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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Wing Commander Bear is held as an F-15 taxis for take-off on the flightline Aug. 3, 2012. Bear has been visiting bases since his visit to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada two years ago, where he flew with RAF 3 Squadron Harriers for two weeks. Bear will be auctioned off along with photos of all his visits for the Royal Air Force Valley charity in North Wales, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Medrwn Mon Anglesey charities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Grigg)

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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Wing Commander Bear sits on the 494th Fighter Squadron Operations Desk at the Strike Eagle Complex Aug. 3, 2012. Bear has been visiting bases since his visit to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada two years ago, where he flew with RAF 3 Squadron Harriers for two weeks. Bear will be auctioned off along with photos of all his visits for the Royal Air Force Valley charity in North Wales, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Medrwn Mon Anglesey charities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Grigg)

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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Wing Commander Bear sits by the 494th Fighter Squadron panther emblem on an F-15 on the flightline Aug. 3, 2012. Bear has been visiting bases since his visit to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada two years ago, where he flew with RAF 3 Squadron Harriers for two weeks. Bear will be auctioned off along with photos of all his visits for the Royal Air Force Valley charity in North Wales, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Medrwn Mon Anglesey charities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Grigg)

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Published Sept. 7, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- He's flown on countless aircraft with the Royal Air Force and U.S. Air Force, racking up hundreds of flight hours and even deployed for nine months, but most importantly, he's always ready for cuddle time. The RAF Valley Wing Commander Bear is a stuffed bear who rides shotgun in aircraft all over the world to support charities.

"It all started two years ago when we took him out to Las Vegas for a holiday and exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base where he flew with 3 Squadron Harriers for two weeks," said Richard Bland, 4 Squadron associate member. "Whilst there he flew with the Australian Air Force in F-18 Hornets and also with the USAF in an F-22 Raptor, all in his log book."

After starting his career at Nellis AFB, Nev., Bear's log book hasn't stopped growing. Throughout the past two years, he has flown in current generation U.S. Air Force and RAF aircraft, WWII era RAF aircraft, police helicopters, British Army Apaches and after returning from a nine month deployment, he joined some star studded air show performers.

"When he returned to the U.K. we managed to get him flying over the summer with various Air Show performers," said Bland. "The RAF Red Arrows and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were keen to fly him at the shows."

Currently, Wing Commander Bear is flying in the Liberty Wing's own F-15E Strike Eagles, and the 494th Fighter Squadron couldn't be happier having him as a co-pilot.
"Turns out Wing Commander Bear is one of the more reckless pilots in the squadron," said 1st Lt. Lloyd Wright, 494th Fighter Squadron pilot. "But other than that, he's a solid pilot."

Although the pilots have gained a wealth of knowledge from Wing Commander Bear's experience, they know that soon he will be retired and auctioned for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and Medrwn Mon Anglesey charities.