Alliances built by handshakes and camaraderie, not phone calls or e-mail

  • Published
  • By Maj. Gregg Beeber
  • 3rd Air Force - United Kingdom
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Last summer, I moved to Mildenhall to work in the international relations division of 3rd Air Force - United Kingdom. In this job, I've had the privilege of working hand-in-hand with our U.K. allies on a daily basis. On Dec. 7, 68 years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I was able to experience how this relationship was forged many years ago.

I was fortunate to attend the 233rd social gathering of the British American Forces Dining Club, or BAFDC, at the Honourable Artillery Company in London. This black-tie affair was only open to active duty and retired U.K. and U.S. field grade officers and above.

The dinner has a long history dating back to World War II. According to retired Col. Larry Carter in a 2004 Air and Space Power Journal article, U.K. and U.S. officers planning Operation Overlord realized that their different cultures, experiences and military traditions adversely affected their relationships and created distrust.

Toward the end of 1942, "several senior British and American officers -- some of whom became original members of the BAFDC -- had drinks together, and after about the fourth round, they began to feel much more sympathetic to each other's point of view ... regular dinners were suggested."

The tradition continues today, and we couldn't have asked for a better venue. According to the organization's Web site, the Honourable Artillery Company, chartered by King Henry VIII in 1537, is the oldest regiment in the British Army. When our bus arrived, there were Pikemen, an infantry unit dating back to the Middle Ages, lining the hallway with long spears, metal helmets and bright red uniforms. They led us to the rooms for social hour.

After mingling for 45 minutes or so, we entered the dining room and stood next to our assigned seats. There wasn't an empty seat in the house. Shortly after, a bagpiper entered with the head table dignitaries in tow.

For such a formal event, it was without many of the normal formalities. There were no opening remarks, just grace, food and wine. The orchestra played quietly in the background. The seats were staggered with British and American officers, and conversation was plentiful. After the meal, the bagpiper played for 10 minutes, marching around the tables. It was a fantastic performance highlighted by shouts from the Scots in the crowd.

Following the dinner and a short break, Air Marshal Chris Nickols, the British co-chairman of BAFDC, made a few welcoming remarks. Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, 3rd Air Force Vice Commander and the event's U.S. co-chairman, introduced U.S. Ambassador Louis Susman as the guest of honor.

The ambassador gave a brief, yet eloquent, speech on the history of our alliance and its enduring importance to current affairs.

This event highlighted that some things don't change. It's just as important now to develop great relationships with our allies as it was during World War II. Those relationships cannot be nurtured through e-mail and phone calls alone. Winston Churchill once said, and Ambassador Susman repeated, "There is one thing worse than fighting with allies -- and that is to fight without them."

I don't know if decisions or contacts made that evening will contribute to the history the U.S. and U.K. will build together. What I do know is that BAFDC was an experience that I will certainly remember from my time in the U.K. I got to take part in the grandeur of British tradition, celebrate history, meet some great folks, and reflect on our great alliance.