Local Brit longtime supporter, staple of USAFE Airmen in U.K.

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicholasa Reed
  • 48th Fighter Wing
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Mr. Doug Wickwar has been a staple on RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall for more than 20 years, longer than most Airmen have been stationed in the country. 

Mr. Wickwar coordinates between six to eight community relations tours a year, to both Lakenheath and Mildenhall, and has averaged nearly 6,000 visitors in his 20 years of involvement with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. 

"We are two great countries," said the Watton native of the U.S. and Britain. "We need to stay joined together and these tours are just one way to continue that relationship."

A World War II veteran, he had one of his first experiences with Americans while serving in the Royal Army's transport corps in 1941 and has been an avid supporter since. 

"Majority of the tanks we worked on in Calcutta were American. The docks there were in shambles, but as soon as the Americans' crack engineers came in, the Seabee made short work of modernizing the docks," said Mr. Wickwar. 

Not only does he support the bases, their mission and the personnel stationed here, but he also sings their praises in his Watton community to anyone who will listen, local newspapers and at military events. 

Never one to let his countrymen down, Mr. Wicwar is also an advocate of his local Royal British Legion, which supports serving and ex-serving U.K. military, in multiple facets to include the annual November Poppy Appeal. 

On the odd occasion Mr. Wickwar encounters anti-American sentiments, he is ready to challenge anything he considers to be misinformation or misconceptions. He believes base tours are a great opportunity for community members to see firsthand the friendliness and professionalism of those working on the bases. 

"I have never had anything but positive feedback from anyone who has come on a tour. The tours give our communities a better chance to understand what goes on inside the base." said Mr. Wickwar. 

His advocacy efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The Lakenheath Officer and Civilian Spouses' Club honored Mr. Wickwar's contributions Apr. 18, with the British American Committee Outstanding award at their Rock the Red Carpet event.