Vice president visits RAF Mildenhall, meets Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFNS) --  Vice President Joe Biden met and talked to several Royal Air Force Mildenhall Airmen during a stop at the base en route to an undisclosed location. 

The vice president thanked Airmen for their service and encouraged them to continue doing a great job for the nation.

Airman 1st Class Victoria Smith of the 100th Security Forces Squadron said when she arrived at RAF Mildenhall a month ago she never imagined she'd help guard the vice president and shake his hand.

"It felt good to have him talk to me," she said. "He obviously really appreciates what we do. Someone in his position wouldn't be able to just stop and talk to someone unless he really thought what they did mattered."

The vice president's sense of humor showed through when he spoke to Airman 1st Class Chad Glover of the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron when he asked him not to "hate on his hat."

Vice President Biden wore an Army hat during the meet and greet, telling the Airmen it was in support of his son, an Army captain.

"He was very down to earth," Airman Glover said of the vice president's friendly demeanor.

Also on hand from the event was Airman 1st Class Justin Chapman, who said the very fact that the vice president took the time to stop and talk to him showed his appreciation for the troops.

"He could have just changed planes and left quietly, but he took the time to come talk to us," he said. "It's good to have a leader who cares about us."