Airman 1st Class Enrique Smith, a cook with the 100th Force Support Squadron, stands outside the door of the dining facility at RAF Mildenhall, England, before the start of Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by pilgrims who had left England in hopes of starting a new life in a new land. But on Thursday, thousands of Americans gave thanks in the country their national ancestors once fled.
RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath both held Thanksgiving lunches for airmen and civilians.
Both bases also maintained the tradition of having senior leaders serve food to their subordinates.
mathis.adam@stripes.com Twitter: @AMathisStripes
Airman 1st Class Enrique Smith, a cook with the 100th Force Support Squadron, stands outside the door of the dining facility at RAF Mildenhall, England, before the start of Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
Col. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr., 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, cuts off part of a steamship roast for a Thanksgiving lunch at RAF Mildenhall, England, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. Base officials estimated up to 700 people could visit the dining facility for the meal. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
Col. Eric Faison, with the Joint Special Operations Air Component-Europe, pours gravy onto a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at RAF Mildenhall, England. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
Senior Airman Michael West, left, and Airman 1st Class Justin Bishop, both with the 48th Operations Support Squadron, eat Thanksgiving lunch at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
Lt. Col. Cory Baker, commander of the 48th Medical Support Squadron, cuts a roast at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, for Thanksgiving lunch. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
Airman 1st Class Kevin Phillips, with the 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Kylie Musto, with the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron, have Thanksgiving lunch at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (Adam L. Mathis/Stars and Stripes)
