Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Andrew Aves, farm-owner near Hinderclay, England, and his dog, Roland, ride in a gator on his property, Feb. 4, 2016. Aves supports and hosts military training exercises on his land by allowing various bases across Europe, including personnel assigned to Royal Air Force bases, to train and operate on his property. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Roland, a Labrador Retriever belonging to Andrew Aves, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Bland, 56th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, prepare to participate in a combat search and rescue task force training exercise near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4, 2016. The training focused on rescue techniques and involved various squadrons and personnel assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

The 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons participate in a combat search and rescue task force exercise using two HH-60G Pave Hawks near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4, 2016. The Airmen performed various CSAR maneuvers in response to a simulated threat scenario. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

A 56th Rescue Squadron service member participates in a combat search and rescue task force training exercise near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4, 2016. Andrew Aves, land owner, invites military bases around Europe, including U.S. personnel assigned to Ryal Air Foce bases, to use his land for training exercises year-round. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Andrew Aves and his Labrador Retriever, Roland, spend a morning together in the Aves home near Hinderclay, England. Since 1996, Mr. Aves has invited military bases from across Europe, including U.S. personnel assigned to Royal Air Force bases, to use his property for training exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Andrew Aves, farm owner, poses for a photo in his home near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 11, 2016. Aves supports and hosts military training exercises on his land by allowing various bases to train and operate on his property. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower/Released) (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erin Trower)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Three Royal Air Force Griffin HT1 helicopters,and Roland, a Labrador Retriever belonging to Andrew Aves, land owner, participate in a training exercise near Hinderclay, England. Mr. Aves invites military bases around Europe, including U.S. personnel assigned to Royal Air Force bases, to use his land for training exercises year-round. (Courtesy photo)

Two countries, one team: A neighbor's perspective

Published Feb. 24, 2016
By Senior Airman Erin Trower
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HINDERCLAY, England -- Andrew Aves remembers visiting Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Mildenhall when he was only five years old.

His fascination with aircraft and airshows, from a young age, led to the position he is in now; supporting military training operations on his land in Hinderclay, England.

Aves lives on a large farm with his wife, Donna, and their chocolate Labrador Retriever, Roland, and various other farm animals. When Pave Hawks, Eagles, Tornadoes and Typhoons aren't circling his property, it's a quiet day on the farm.

"In 1996, the Tornadoes at RAF Honington disappeared," Aves said. "It's gone awful quiet around here. I thought, what can we do to get them back?"

Aves put the word out to several RAF squadrons, offering his property for military training, and quickly received many acceptances. In 1998, according to Aves, the training picked up and started slowly building. His field was mainly used for close air support exercises.

"That carried on, and then all hell broke loose when 9/11 happened," Aves said.

Air traffic increased as more countries began conducting exercises outside his backdoor.

Aves has supported various forces to include joint terminal attack controllers from around Europe.

In 2010, Aves sent word to the U.S. Air Force, offering the use of his field for training operations. In March, the USAF used his field for the first time while participating in a joint training exercise with the RAF.

"It's important for the RAF and USAF to train together," Aves said. "Training is a must. Everyone should know what each other are doing."

The last exercise that took place on the field was a joint training exercise with the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, the 494th Fighter Squadron and the 100th Air Refueling Wing from RAF Mildenhall.

"It's huge that they allow us to use their territory!" said Staff Sgt. Rob Blume, 56th RQS intelligence noncommissioned officer in charge. "We [U.S. and RAF] have worked closely together in Iraq and Afghanistan and during the current fights going on today. Allowing us to train on his land is pretty awesome. It's great that he's out there and to get his perspective."

According to Col. Scottie Zamzow, 48th Operations Group commander, the ability to train locally benefits the mission on multiple levels. They're not only able to execute training exercises more often, but also with less strain on the Airmen and resources.

Roland, the dog, is also a special part of the exercises. According to Aves, he has enjoyed being a part of the exercises since he was a puppy.

"He's always there with me," Aves laughed. "The pilots call him tank. He would get in the helicopter if he could, literally!"

Aves and Roland enjoy participating in the exercises and interacting with the service members.

"We rely on individuals like Mr. Andrew Aves allowing us to use his property so that we have many different options for training, all with their own individual challenges," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Bland, 56th RQS special missions aviator.

According to Aves, people make trips out to the farm to observe the operations, and people passing by will pulloff the road to watch.

"It's great!" Aves said. "The feedback I get from everyone in the area is brilliant."

Aves believes it's important for the public and military to be cohesive. He claims in the 70s and 80s, the airshows and aircraft were very much united with the public.

"Coming out to use the field helps the military because, back in the 80s, you couldn't look up without seeing airplanes; but now the bases around here have lost the link between the military and the general population," Aves stated. "We never see what's going on there [at RAF stations] anymore. If you come here, you can see what goes on. The more integrated we are, the more the public will be on their side."

Aves and his wife plan to continue supporting these training exercises, and enjoy the interaction with the various surrounding allied countries.

"Local citizens, like Mr. Aves, who have graciously supported the Liberty Wing over the years, have had a positive impact on our ability to conduct much-needed training operations," Zamzow said. "Our relationship with the British community is an essential component to the Liberty Wing's mission effectiveness."