Martlesham Heath Aviation Society - Control Tower Museum

Members' Event - Lakenheath Visit 20th April 2007

Report by Martyn Cook, photos and captions by Tarkey Barker.

A Memorial Service is a strange occasion to ask about a visit to an airbase but that's how it happened.

The USAF officer at the society's last Memorial Service held on the 12 November 2006 was Lt. Col. Shawn Pederson from the 492 Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

Also in attendance was society member, Tarkey Barker. Now one thing that Tarkey Barker can never be accused of is, 'not looking a gift horse in the mouth'. His sights were set on a visit to the airbase and after the service had concluded the question was put to Col.Pederson.

Unfortunately, Col. Pederson was going away for an extended period but promised that on his return he would arrange a visit. True to his word, on his return to Lakenheath a date was set.

Our host for the day was 1st Lt. Christopher Dupin, known as "Hook". He was assigned another officer called "Joker" to help. Unfortunately, I cannot remember Joker's real name.

Our visit began with the customary security checks. Once these were concluded we drove to the H.Q. of 492FS. Here the party, which totalled 35, was split into two groups. Both parties set out in different directions joining up for lunch in the squadron bar.

The first party headed into the H.Q. building where they were first shown the briefing room followed by a look at an F-15 crewmember flying kit.

The second group headed to the Control Tower area and once there were split into two small groups. The first group went up into the Control Tower while the second group visited the Rapcon (Radar Room). They changed over after a period of time thereby enabling everyone to see both facilities to the full.

Lunch was a joint affair. We were plied with generously filled 'Subway' rolls and to drink we had the choice of genuine Coca Cola or coffee for those who were not keen on Coca Cola and crisps to fill in the corners.

After lunch the two groups switched the mornings activities. After completing this part of the schedule the second group visited the Flight Simulator where they were invited to take a "flight" and knock out an imaginary target.

The first group were shown the HH Egress. This is a simulated aircraft cockpit where a demonstration of how to prepare yourself for ejecting from an aircraft was carried out using a volunteer from the group.

Alongside this was a virtual reality parachute decent training rig. A volunteer from the group was strapped into the parachute harness and fitted with a helmet to which was attached a special visual screen. The helmet was linked to a computer whose software portrayed the parachute decent on the volunteer’s screen. He could manoeuvre the chute using two “cord” control ropes, one in each hand. His decent was also shown on a monitor so that we could all see what he saw.

After both groups had completed this part of the schedule they re-joined the coach and were taken to a hardened aircraft shelter to view a pair of F-15E Eagles parked inside.

It was a tired but happy group that left RAF Lakenheath some six hours after our visit began. Our hosts had been very courteous and very generous and we thank them allmost sincerely for a wonderful visit.

Photos taken during the day, by Tarkey Barker:

MHAS made welcome