USAF forces create Apocalypse Now-type scene as they land in farmer’s field in Hinderclay for training exercises

RAF training on mid suffolk farmers land near Hinderclay. Farmer is Andrew Aves.

For the past 20 years Andrew Aves has turned his fields into playgrounds for some of the biggest air forces in the world – and his dog also gets to join in the fun.

Mr Aves runs the family farm with his wife Donna in Hinderclay and for nearly two decades has been hosting the RAF and US Air Force (USAF) on a regular basis.

“Nothing compares to the sight and sound of jets roaring overhead and helicopters swooping in to land,” he said.

“When the helicopters come flying in to land together, it is like something out of Apocalypse Now.”

Roland and Staff Sgt. Joseph Bland, 56th Rescue Squadron special missions aviator, prepare to participate in a training exercise near Hinderclay (Image: Archant)

The two USAF bases in Suffolk at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall both use Elm Farm, bases which first inspired his love of fast jets when he visited aged just five.

“In 1998, the Tornadoes at RAF Honington disappeared,” he said. “I thought ‘it’s gone awful quiet around here’ and wondered what can I do to get them back?

“Back in the ‘80s, you couldn’t look up without seeing airplanes –but now the bases around here have lost the link between the military and the general population.

“You used to have the big air shows where you could walk among the planes. But we never see what’s going on there anymore. If you come here, you can see what goes on. The more integrated we are, the more the public will be on their side.”

Andrew Aves, farm-owner , and his dog, Roland, ride in a gator on his property (Image: Archant)

Mr Aves then set about asking as many RAF squadrons as he could find whether they wanted to use his farm, and it went from there. In 2010 he invited the USAF down as well.

After nearly two decades of the latest and greatest airpower training in his back yard, Mr Aves says he has still not grown tired of it.

If Pave Hawks, Eagles, Tornadoes and Typhoons aren’t circling his property, the arable and livestock farmer considers it a quiet day.

After the 9/11 attacks in the US, air traffic at the farm skyrocketed, but despite the obvious noise Mr Aves says the local community are very supportive of what he is doing.

The last USAF exercise that took place on the field was a joint training exercise with the Pave Hawk helicopters of the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons from RAF Lakenheath and the 494th Fighter Squadron and the 100th Air Refueling Wing from RAF Mildenhall.

Mr Aves’ generosity to the air forces has made him a valued part of their teams, becoming an honorary member of several squadrons.

It is not just Mr Aves who enjoys the planes though, with Roland the chocolate Labrador Retriever often joining in the fun.

“If he could he would jump straight on to the helicopters and fly up there with them,” he said. “He loves it and they like him – they call him tank.

“He has been around the helicopters and planes since he was puppy, he doesn’t know any different.”

Mr Aves’ role in supporting the USAF is valued by the airmen.

“It’s huge that they allow us to use their territory,” said Staff Sergeant Rob Blume, 56th Rescue non-commissioned officer.

“We [US and RAF] have worked closely together in Iraq and Afghanistan and during the current fights going on today. Allowing us to train on his land is pretty awesome. It’s great that he’s out there and to get his perspective.”

According to Colonel Scottie Zamzow, 48th Operations Group commander at Lakenheath, the ability to train locally is important.

“Local citizens, like Mr Aves, who have graciously supported the Liberty Wing over the years, have had a positive impact on our ability to conduct much-needed training operations,” Col Zamzow said. “Our relationship with the British community is an essential component to the wing’s mission effectiveness.”