FighterControl

Just found this on an old BBC NEWS CHANNEL post....

Last Updated: Friday, 21 January, 2005, 13:12 GMT
Security fears threaten air show. The future looks bleak for another Air Fete show at RAF Mildenhall
The future of one of the largest air shows in Europe looks uncertain after being cancelled for a fourth year.
The Mildenhall Air Fete in Suffolk, which attracts more than 500,000 people to the area, has not taken place since 2001 amid security concerns.
A Community Appreciation Day will be held in June, however, to show the base's thanks for the support provided by local communities, but USAF spokesperson Sgt Cindy Dorfner said the event would be ticket only.
Security concerns.
"We're just having this to show thanks to our local community neighbours who welcome us every day and put up with our noise," she said.
Air Fete, the largest military air show in Europe, has not been held since September 11, 2001 due to runaway resurfacing and the "war on terrorism".
"Logistically it takes a lot to plan...the basic framework was already there in 2001 - to start it again from scratch would be difficult," Ms Dorfner added.
"Security's a lot tighter in the days after 9/11. There are lot of concerns now with holding an air show."
"Who knows if we will ever have an Air Fete again - we may have both," she added.....
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, & gone forever!

The best airshow of them all, gone but never forgotten

So many memories, not only of the aircraft and oh so welcoming atmosphere but also of time with my dad who did all the driving before I had a licence or even a camera.

Thats a very similar situation to me Iainpeden, I only learned to drive a couple of Years after I last went to my last Air Fete in 2000, couldn't attend 2001 the last one due to a family medical issue at the time - although I did have a camera! Yes we'll always have great memories of Mildenhall Air Fetes especially if you have the book......

Set the precedent, I'm afraid. Gone are any RAF "At Home"/"Battle of Britain" shows and I doubt that Yeovilton will ever be resurrected. Cosford (and Farnborough) are both fading away so we'll just have to make do with the annual extravaganza at Fairford. Sad times.

There was a genuine attempt to bring the airshow back in about 2012 (can't recall the exact year). Base personnel contacted the Waddington Airshow team to find out what was required in terms of organisation as all previous Air Fete personnel had moved on. Why it didn't happen is probably only known within the Pentagon...

Sorry this is about a different show for a minute but on the subject of the loss of the At Home Days/ Battle of Britain Airshow I always have wondered why once the RAF left Leuchars that there was not a possibility of a joint Army/ RAF type show - yes I know there was a joint event after the Army took over but that only happened once.

As back to Air Fete I agree what a big loss it is to the Airshow Calendar not everyone can make it to Gloucester or Cosford I'm afraid.

Even if one day Mildenhall Air Fete was ever to be resurrected, somehow it wouldn't be the same as the old shows. I don't mean aircraft participation (that goes without saying), but the atmosphere, the pathos. The old magic will have gone now.

Totally agree on that, ‘Roughcutter’

As John Lennon once said, when questioned on the reformation of The Beatles, ‘it was what it was, let it go, you can’t reheat a soufflé

Agree, but wouldn't it be nice to give it a try... We can dream on, I guess .

Clearly if the Will exists, pretty much anything can be achieved! Excuse my adaption of the old adage "Where there's No Will...There's No Way!" The moment is gone. Best remembered for what it was?
Over 22 years down the line, Security fears, H&S, rampant Litigation, Finance, Insurance, Flying constraints, Climate considerations..... Just the start of an endless list of why Air Fete is history!

Precisely, ‘Supra’

Once decent air displays have been totally emasculated by pen pushers nowadays

If you go to
https://airshows.aero/Page/AirShowsCalendar and scroll down through June, this appears

Jun 29-30
RAF Mildenhall Open House 2024
Mildenhall, Suffolk, GB

No other details sorry

Hmmmmmmmmm

I’ll believe it when it happens

More likely to be a families day, imvho

They were great days. Jets, burgers, hot dogs , doughnuts, buds and such a friendly atmosphere. The Americans were great hosts .

paddyboy wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:13 pm

Hmmmmmmmmm

I’ll believe it when it happens

More likely to be a families day, imvho

It is now mentioned on a few websites, but maybe all from the same original post. Given the dates are 2 days over a weekend (June 29/30) it sounds unlikely to be a familes day. I guess we will know more soon.

https://airshows.aero/Page/AirShowsCalendar

Alf wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:30 pm

paddyboy wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:13 pm

Hmmmmmmmmm

I’ll believe it when it happens

More likely to be a families day, imvho

It is now mentioned on a few websites, but maybe all from the same original post. Given the dates are 2 days over a weekend (June 29/30) it sounds unlikely to be a familes day. I guess we will know more soon.

https://airshows.aero/Page/AirShowsCalendar

Doesn't seem to be showing for me on that site?

It's gone now - what a surprise!

Yes, it looks to have been deleted.. it was a nice thought while it lasted though... maybe one day.