RAF MILDENHALL, England — Air enthusiasts of all stripes came Friday to celebrate RAF Mildenhall’s 75th birthday with food, jets and flyovers.

And while the persistently gray British skies threatened to put a damper on the event, the sun made occasional appearances as U.S. airmen and invited British guests checked out some American air power.

Marion and David Stebbeds were touring the assorted fighter jets and other aircraft Friday morning. Marion Stebbeds is a British Ministry of Defence employee.

Unlike the Mildenhall air shows before Sept. 11, 2001, Friday’s event was not open to the public, something that caused a bit of consternation among locals. “You’ve got to take security into account, but people wish it would come back,” said David Stebbeds, who lives in the area.

The event used to draw people from all over England, he said, adding that it was also a boon to local businesses.

Officials with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Mildenhall’s main base tenant, cited resource limitations and security concerns in not opening the event to everyone.

Still, those in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves, eating from concessions sponsored by various units and having the opportunity to climb inside some of the aircraft.

Air Force Capt. Gentry Reno made the hour-long trip in his A-10 Warthog from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, for the event.

Most folks want to know about their missions and weaponry, he said, something that helps personalize the Air Force.

“They see the face behind the machine,” he said.

RAF Mildenhall opened on Oct. 16, 1934, to counter the advent of a threat from the European continent.

Mildenhall was a key cog in the World War II air effort as well, getting repeatedly bombed by the German air force but never completely taken out of commission, according to the Air Force. It was also involved in many offensives against Germany.

The U.S. Air Force arrived as a tenant unit in 1950.

Mildenhall actually opened prematurely to host the Royal Aero Club’s prestigious England-to-Australia air race on Oct. 20, 1934. It was the longest race ever at the time and attracted more than 70,000 spectators to the base, according to the Air Force.

John Hunt was one of those spectators who watched the race take off “on the back of me mother’s bike.”

Seventy-five years later, he was back again.

Capt. Tom Hayes of the 23rd Fighter Squadron tells local residents John and Jane Leach about his F-16CJ Friday during RAF Mildenhall’s 75th-birthday celebration in England.

Photos by Geoff Ziezulewicz/Stars and Stripes

Air Force Capt. Gentry Reno said Friday’s event let civilians “see the face behind the machine.” Reno flew in from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.