The 501st Combat Support Wing, based at RAF Alconbury, exercised its Freedom of the Town of Huntingdon on Friday, May 19.

The event, which was held to mark five years since the wing was granted the Freedom, featured an inspection of the troops and a unique flypast, followed by a military parade down the High Street.

The military parade formed outside the Commemoration Hall and marched down the High Street to the Market Square.

The ceremony began with the National Anthems of the UK and the USA, followed by a prayer by the Wing’s Chaplain, Lt Col. Forsythe.

The Parade Commander then invited the Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Brigadier Tim Seal TD DL, and the Mayor of Huntingdon, Cllr Phil Pearce, to inspect the troops, accompanied by Col Brian Filler and Col Valerie Long.

The Hunts Post: Cllr Phil Pearce was asked to inspect the troops at the event on Friday. Cllr Phil Pearce was asked to inspect the troops at the event on Friday. (Image: NEWSQUEST)

 

The mayor of Huntingdon then addressed the troops and spoke of the important relationship between the town of Huntingdon and the 501st Wing, highlighting the lineage of the 501st Wing and how their motto ‘Pathfinders – Light the Way’ links to Huntingdon’s own RAF Pathfinder history.

He concluded his speech by reaffirming in perpetuity the Freedom of Huntingdon to the 501st Wing “with the privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of Huntingdon on all ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and bands playing.”

The crowd in Huntingdon was then treated to a rare sight, a flypast by a The Hunts Post: The U2 ‘Dragon Lady’ spy plane flew over Huntingdon.The U2 ‘Dragon Lady’ spy plane flew over Huntingdon. (Image: NEWSQUEST) which took off from RAF Fairford earlier that day.

Following this, the Civic Party, Town Councillors and other local dignitaries walked to St Benedict’s Court to receive the salute from the Freedom Parade March Past.

The Hunts Post: The ceremony took place on the Market Square in Huntingdon.The ceremony took place on the Market Square in Huntingdon. (Image: NEWSQUEST)

 

 

 

The 501st Combat Support Wing is a unique organization with more than 2,000 airmen at seven geographically separated locations across the United Kingdom and Norway.

Each installation contributes to the Pathfinder mission of enabling command and control; intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance; and global strike operations to meet US and NATO objectives.