KET visit to 352nd Special Ops Wing, Pararescue

The KET team - CEO Syliva May, her husband Rob May and our trustee Dr Robert Lyman enjoyed a really amazing day at RAF Mildenhall on 17th June 2024.

The reason for the visit was so that Rob May could present a piece of a C-46 aircraft that crashed in Pangsha Village, India on 2nd August 1943.  Rob brought a piece of the aircaft, mounted on a beautiful plaque - a piece of American Walnut - home to the 352nd Special Ops Wing, Pararescue. The inscription reads:

"This is a piece of the aircraft which crashed in 1943 in North East India, now Nagaland.  20 people miraculously survived. Three men, Lt Col Don Flickinger, Sgt Richard Passey and Cpl William McKenzie parachuted into the jungle to rescue the survivors. This rescue operation was the first of its kind and was the seeds from which the concept of Pararescue was born."

Read more about Lt Col Don Flickinger on Robert Lyman's blog: 

Don Flickinger, the making of Blackie's Gang and the birth of para-rescue

352nd Special Ops Wing, Pararescue are stationed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.  Sylvia tells us: "KET could not have had a warmer or more friendly and generous welcome. It was the best day! In fact, we were told that they study the rescue of the survivors of this particular downed plane as part of their study course."

The KET team were allowed to climb up into some of the aircraft on the base inclduing the C130, the Osprey, and to sit in the pilot seats! They tried on parachutes as well and had a really wonderful day.

Sylvia says: "It is a wonderful heritage site, the 352nd Wing are proud of their heritage, which begain in 1934, and have lots of the original buildings which they proudly showcase with boards telling you of the history. I think we have had a quite unique experience."

KET would like to thank Colonel McGill and all at 352nd Wing for a very special day.

KET trustee Dr Robert Lyman was also part of the visit and was able to present a copy of this book "Among the Headhunters" to the Wing.  Copies are available to puchase from our online shop