Chernobyl children's group visits RAF Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) --  More than 20 Belarusian children huddled around a 494th Fighter Squadron pilot Aug. 3, staring curiously at an F-15E Strike Eagle.

"Where does the fuel go?" asked one child through his interpreter. "Can the missiles fire while the plane is on the ground?" asked another.

For most of these children, the visit was their first time in England and none of them had ever seen a fighter jet up close. The F-15E static display was just one stop on the children's tour of RAF Lakenheath. They also toured the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron fire station, Memorial Park and watched a demonstration by the 48th Security Forces Military Working Dogs.

The children were visiting the U.K. through a charity called the Chernobyl Children Lifeline. The charity was founded for the children of Belarus, which is a developing country which suffered most from the fall-out caused by the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986

"I liked the airplanes and the dogs and the fire station; I liked everything today," said 11-year-old, Uladzislau Yaumenau through an interpreter.

According to the Chernobyl Children Lifeline, Great Yarmouth and Waveney website,
www.ccll-gtyarmouth.co.uk, this charity gives as many children as it can a month-long recuperative holiday in the U.K., with the aim of boosting their damaged immune systems and hopefully allowing them a healthier future.

During their one-month visit to England, the children have visited various places including theme parks, historical sites and RAF bases.

"We like to take them on various trips to let them experience things they would never experience or see in their country," said Geoff Woolston, a base contractor and host for two of the Belarusian children. "I wanted to bring them to Lakenheath to show them American jets and experience American hospitality."

Mr. Woolston's main goal is to help these children get the best vacation they can get. "At the end of the day, they are full of smiles; this is the kind of day they will remember for the rest of their lives," he said.

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