A trustee for Sea and Royal Marines Cadets was honoured by USAF officers and air crew at their Suffolk base recently.
The 48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron of the United States Air Force—part of the larger 48th Fighter Wing—made Paul Greenwood an “honorary commander” at a ceremony on 30 April. This prestigious appointment is a historical custom unique to the USAF in which an individual unit involves nearby communities in its operation.
Honorary commanders are distinguished individuals who display particular leadership qualities, community involvement and commitment to supporting the air force mission. Once appointed, they are an important liaison between civilian communities living around a USAF air base and the units stationed there.
This unique role thus benefits both military and civilians living around RAF Lakenheath, where 48th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and 48th Fighter Wing are based in the UK.
Paul’s 30 years of distinguished service to his community have seen a particular focus on developing expertise in leadership, security and community engagement. He worked as a police officer until his retirement in 2020 and chairs the Royal British Legion’s Newmarket and District Branch.
Alongside his work at both branch and county level in the Legion, Paul served as an NHS community responder during the COVID-19 pandemic following his retirement.
Mildenhall and Newmarket Sea and Royal Marines Cadets, of which Paul is a trustee, are affiliated with their local branch of the Legion, working in partnership with veterans through Paul’s facilitation.
He is also the point of contact at the Legion’s Newmarket branch for other local cadet units: both the Burwell and Newmarket Army Cadet Force detachments, and 2417 (Newmarket) Squadron RAF Air Cadets.
East Anglia RFCA sends its congratulations to Paul for this prestigious recognition of his hard work supporting people in Suffolk and east Cambridgeshire, and bridging the gap between residents and the USAF unit that honoured the Sea Cadet trustee.
