Astronaut returns to Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Dobrydney
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Many members of the 48th Fighter Wing have flown high, but few have flown as high as Col. Jim Dutton.

The NASA astronaut paid a visit to RAF Lakenheath on June 8 and 9 to speak to Airmen and local students about his recent flight aboard space shuttle Discovery as well as revisit cherished memories.

Before becoming an astronaut, Colonel Dutton was assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron as an F-15C pilot from 1995 to 1998. He and his wife, Erin, made a nostalgic trip around the base and local area, visiting their old base house and the chapel in Ely.

"This is a really, really special place," said Colonel Dutton, and although he hadn't been here in more than 10 years, it felt like he'd never left.

"There are a few new buildings," said Colonel Dutton, "but it all came back to us like a dream."

Before speaking at the base gymnasium June 8, Colonel Dutton caught up on old times with 48th Fighter Wing Commander Col. John Quintas, who was a senior at the Air Force Academy when Colonel Dutton was a freshman.

"It's a great opportunity to have not just a NASA astronaut, but a former Liberty Airman, visit us," said Colonel Quintas. "We really appreciate it."

The audience was treated to a film of the mission Colonel Dutton flew on to the International Space Station, while he regaled them with stories about living and working in space.

"Living in zero gravity was fun," Colonel Dutton told the crowd. "By the third or fourth day it felt like you'd been born there."

Colonel Dutton also spoke at Lakenheath Elementary School to an audience of approximately 200 children, including British students who made a special trip to attend the event.

The children ooh'd and aah'd at the photos of the United States and United Kingdom taken from 200 miles above the earth. They laughed when they saw a picture of the 493rd FS mascot, Spank the Gorilla, floating in space, as well as movies of the crew playing with water and M&Ms in zero gravity. The presentation ended with cheers from students and teachers alike.

"It was great, my favorite part was the M&M bit," said Billy Pik, a student from Glade Primary School in Brandon, who added that seeing a real NASA astronaut has made him more interested in space.

Colonel Dutton said that while it's fun to come back to old haunts and share news about the space program, he hopes that his visit will motivate people as well.

"It's great to inspire people to work hard toward their goals and go after whatever their dreams are," he said.