Wow! That brought back some memories. My family and I were there 74-77 & 84-88. I joined the Air Force and was station at Mildenhall 99-04. I took several road trips to Woodbridge to revisit home. It was bittersweet.
Was stationed there Nov 78 -80 just missed the UFO event by week or so. Climbed the water tower one night alone. Some period after told a buddy ( Tim) and he talked me taking him up so we went. Most amazing we didn't get caught. Thanks for trip back.
Thank you for your comment. You might find my Y/T video titled RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge 'The Domestic Site' Revisited (2001-2002) interesting as those Base 'Landmarks' - the Water Towers, briefly feature at 1.38 mins. Long gone today but they seemed to offer a challenge for so many back in the day. Thanks again....
Was there Nov 78 -80. This has helped me as looked at new Google map and couldn't find orientation, now see much was demolition. I climbed the water tower twice, first alone, then some time later a friend talked me into again and we both went up. Never got caught.
Hi and thank you for your comment. Check out my Y/T video titled RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge 'The Domestic Site' Revisited (2001 -2002). Essentially a rehash of this video with a few contemporary scenes added. The Water Towers were Base 'Landmarks' and briefly feature at 1.38 mins. They're long gone today but many accepted the challenge to climb these structures - good memories. All the best.
I’m crying now. I met my husband there in 1988. I worked in the housing office. I left in 1989 and went back to AZ. He transferred to Offut. We long distance dated and married in 1990 before the Gulf War. We were going to go back on our anniversary in 2020, but Covid. I was thinking about going back for our 35th. I don’t think I could now.
I was at dependent at Alconbury, ‘74-‘78. At that time we didn’t have a school team as 9-12 grade were bussed to Lakenheath and lived in dorms. The base teams were the Spartans. Later, Alconbury JHS became Alconbury HS with their teams being the Dragons.
Thank you so much for sharing this! My father was stationed there 72 to 76. We lived on Portal Drive, you went right by our old house! I love living there. Best part if my childhood.
Thank you for the memories. We were stationed at Upper Heyford in 1969-1971. I am still so thankful for the opportunity to see this part of the world and have lived in the English community in Somerton. Great benefits as an Air Force brat that most kids don't enjoy. Some wonderful memories!
how come you were able to go on base??, I remember visiting an american friend of mine sadly i have lost touch with them when they were based there in 2005, amazing place for a British person like me felt weird using US $ in the UK!!! i visited Lakenheath i would love to go on base again
In answer to your question. My Father was USAF (Retired) and we'd meet up at these Bases - more often RAF Upper Heyford when active and RAF Croughton. Civilian access is controlled and is limited to those on either 'Official Business' or those sponsored by either an Active Duty or Retired USAF member - effectively they 'sign you in' at the Base and are responsible for you during the visit/stay. And yes, these installations are amazing - 'Small Town USA' in a foreign land.
I was there in 77 TDY from Wiesbaden. My team and I Built the guard tower shown at the beginning of the video. I have seen it in a few other recent videos. It's Good to know it's still standing......Mark Arbogast
Graduated high school in 78 and stationed at Bentwaters and Woodbridge with Security Police. Was 18 and 19 so I guess some of the students on the school buses that entered through the main gate were my age. Loved this base. Wrapped up my 6 year enlistment at Edwards AFB on my 24th birthday as SSgt then off to CA Highway Patrol Academy the month after.
Thank you for posting this video. I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford from November 1979 to November 1981. It was my first assignment after Technical School, I was a fresh 17-year-old Airman Basic then. 😱 Looking at your video, I recognized the Base Exchange, Movie Theater, & Bowling Alley. Other than that, I did not recognize anything else. It looks like a different place -- I guess it IS a different place now 45 years later (geez, I'm old). Oddly enough, the lasting takeaway from my experience there was, not so much the work I did there, (it sucked) but it was the music (which definitely did NOT suck). Since it was my first time in a different country, everything was new and different to me. I remember taking a keen interest in this new music I was hearing on BBC1, from these bands that I had never heard of before, like The Police, Human League, Duran Duran, etc. (actually: XTC). Once again, thank you for posting. It took me back to those slightly thrilling days of yesteryear.
I remember doing discos with 2 lovely girl dancers in all of the USAF bases including bentwaters in the early 70s All in all 11 different bases a real education and fun
I was there when Col. Kelly crashed. I was 10 and I remember this event. I think he had a daughter about my age. Wethersfield AFB, 4 years. We first lived off-base in Castle Headingham and eventually moved on base into a tiny trailer park. I am glad I can still remember!
I just discovered this. Such joy. Swinderby was my first posting out of Boy Entrant training in 1961. So many memories jogged by your excellent photos. Your coverage is simply the best. Thanks. So sad nothing left. I was a wireless tech then, working in the new control tower and what was known then as the old tower. On top of which there was a small room with a round window we used as a workshop and hiding place out of sight. Nice camp with many attractive WAFs. Flying training with Vampires. Very cold in winter.
Thanks for posting the video. I was an USAF brat. My father was stationed their from October 1971 to June 1976. Had base housing at RAF Woodbridge. Spent in Great Glenham and Ipswich before getting base housing.
Hi, the original settlement at Rendlesham was/is to the West of the former RAF Bentwaters. A settlement since Medieval times, in fact earlier. The 14th Century St. Gregory's Church still survives? Interestingly and very recently (2022), there have been archaeological digs around Rendlesham sheading more light on the areas early settlement. I would suggest that you check out Google Maps satellite imagery which may explain better how the area would have looked if you exclude the Base? Today, the Domestic Site at the former Base forms part of the 'New Village Community' of Rendlesham. Hope this answers your question? All the best.
The 1940's music doesn't work for this presentation. When I worked there in the late 1980's -1990's the music was more energetic. Why not re-edit using Big Country singing "In a Big Country" and Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and The Clash "Rock the Casaba". Also, the parody song "Bomb, Bomb Iraq" fits the mood of 20th TFW personnel from the Wing Commander down to the one striper Knuckle Buster maintaining our Aardvarks and Ravens. Just saying, a USAF RAF Upper Heyford Vet.
Hi and thank you for your comment. I understand your point and I debated about what music score to add to this video. My final choice was purely subjective by not focussing on any particular time frame during the USAF era (1950 - 1994) but highlighting the long US presence at RAF Upper Heyford with some Glenn Miller 'American Swing.' By the way, some good 1980's song titles you list. All the best...
Thank you for posting this “tour”. I was stationed at RAF Croughton from 1986 - 89 as a 307x0/493x0. My two oldest sons were both born at the UH base hospital. All shipping was done at the UH Commissary and BX. I really miss my time there.
Hi and thank you for your comment and for referencing RAF Burtonwood. This RAF/USAF installation was not included in this presentation as it didn't fit the criteria of the video - 'USAF Bases in Britain 1968 - Today' with its role as an Operational USAF Base having long since ended though I am aware that from 1967, the US Army used the Station as a Storage Facility until its closure in the early 1990's thus maintaining the United States connection. Another RAF Station consigned to the History Books but thankfully a Heritage Centre has been created so preserving the memory of this once important Base. I wish you well.
I was station there from 77-79 worked in the gym and played some basketball during the days when Hank Brown was the star player. Carl Watts was my name remember?
Worked with a band in the 80's, gigged here and most other American bases throughout the UK. the American hospitality was second to none, we were treated like lords and ladies. I lived near Upper Heyford and Croughton and had many American friends, most who went back to the USA as the bases closed one by one,. Some of the best times of my life.
My first duty assignment in ¹969 straight out of basic. 20th SPS. I spent one and a half years there when th3 powers to be started down sizing the base. Myself a nd many were transferred to Torrejon, Spain. My four years in Europe was the best education a young man of 18 could ever hope for. Beautiful country and fond memories?
