ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Mr. Mark Pendlington, visited the Liberty Wing for a commander-led base tour, during which he appointed a member of Lakenheath High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC and RAF Mildenhall Civil Air Patrol as Honorary Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets.
The Lord-Lieutenant received a candid look into the Liberty Wing mission by visiting Wing Headquarters, the F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle complexes, and engaging in face-to-face interactions with the Airmen who keep the mission moving.
The visit strengthened the enduring partnership between the Liberty Wing and its host nation and demonstrated that it extends beyond military operations, underscoring the importance of Lakenheath’s relationship with Suffolk.
“For many decades, US service personnel and their families have been a highly valued and important part of life in our county,” said Pendlington. “They are our neighbors, our friends and members of our communities, and I am delighted that we can now extend the honor of becoming a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet to young people from the US Visiting Forces.”
The Lieutenancy recognizes its duty of care to UK military interests. It welcomes and supports military and civilian personnel serving in the U.S. Air Force bases at Mildenhall and Lakenheath, all of whom share a common goal of contributing to the local Suffolk community.
“Today is a historic milestone for the relationship between our Tri-Base community and Suffolk — a friendship we see in the people who welcome our families and in the relationships our Airmen build with their neighbors every day,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Alfaro, 48th Fighter Wing commander.
The base tour concluded with a ceremony celebrating the cadets from the tri-base area who had the honor of being selected as Honorary Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets.
“Lord-Lieutenant Pendlington, by appointing Kiarra and John, you are showing all of our young people that they have something meaningful to contribute to the life of this county, and that they can help shape the relationship between our communities themselves,” said Alfaro.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets are among the best in their respective organizations. For the first time in history, this distinguished role is being held by two cadets from the U.S. Air Force, marking a significant moment in relations between the nations: Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Kiarra Taylor, RAF Lakenheath AFJROTC and Cadet Chief Master Sgt. John Conklin, RAF Mildenhall Civil Air Patrol.
“I hope that through this our connection between the U.K. and U.S. becomes even stronger, especially through the youth,” said Taylor. “I am excited to be one of the firsts selected as a Lord-Lieutenant cadet, but I am more excited for the people that will follow after me.”
Beyond recognizing individual achievement, the Lord-Lieutenant’s visit reflects the longstanding relationships between the U.K. and U.S. armed forces and the communities they serve. Through shared opportunities and continued collaboration, young leaders gain a greater understanding of service and the importance of international relationships.
