Theoretical physicist and author Stephen Hawking paid a surprise visit to RAF Lakenheath,England on 29 December,2013,according to 2nd Lieutenant Keenan Kunst,US Air Force 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.Hawking,who wrote the bestseller "A Brief History of Time,"arranged the trip through the good offices of his late friend's widow.When the retired master sergeant passed away,Hawking was supposed to have scattered his ashes at the base,but was unable to do so.At the end of 2013,however,Hawking felt well enough and had the time to finally make the trip,so the UK Ministry of Defence and US Air Force set it up on short notice.
Hawking arrived the next day and was greeted by RAF Squadron Leader Jerry Neild and USAF 48th Operations Group Commander Colonel Mark Slocum,as well as astonished security forces personnel.Hawking,who is a professor at Cambridge University and director of its Centre for Theoretical Cosmology,was given a windshield tour of the facility and a breifing at Radar Approach Control.Attired in an RAF sweater,he was also briefed at a protected aircraft shelter by members of the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron with an F-15E Strike Eagle they maintain.
Hawking posed for photos with the airmen and mutual admiration was expressed,with the Cambridge professor praising the airmen's intelligence and level of responsibility,while Hawking's stature was recognised and appreciated by all.Clearly it was a memorable occasion for those concerned.*
Labels:Stephen Hawking,US Air Force,Royal Air Force,RAF Lakenheath,48th Fighter Wing,Cambridge University,F-15E Strike Eagle,England
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