Events
RAFMAF 'Spirit of the Battle of Britain' Annual Banquet
RAFMAF's annual 'Spirit of the Battle of Britain' Banquet is held during September/ October in Washington D.C. and gives the Foundation the opportunity to bring together the modern-day examples of the ethos of the veterans.
Since the first 'Spirit of the Battle of Britain' dinner in 2009, the Banquet has become established as one of the premier events in the D.C. aerospace calendar. Held to coincide with the Exchange Officers Conference, the Banquet is attended by senior serving officers of the RAF and USAF, including the Chiefs, representatives from the D.C. Diplomatic Corps and senior executives of the global aerospace industry.
Run along the lines of a formal RAF Mess Dinner, the evening features the presentation of two Swords of Honor and ends with a performance by the USAF premier jazz ensemble The Airmen of Note.
The 2019 Banquet celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Guests of Honor included Colonel Gail Halvorsen – ‘Uncle Wiggly Wings’, the Candy Bomber. View highlights of the 2019 Banquet here.
To be part of the next RAFMAF banquet, please contact: Angela Coleman, Executive Director + 44 7753 832480;
Major General (Ret.) Fred Roggero USAF, Chairman (571) 405 1279; or use our Contact form
Previous Banquets
2022
Celebrating achievements in space
2019
70th Anniversary of the RAF and USAF Operations during the Berlin Airlift
2018
The Pioneering Women of the Air Transport Auxiliary and Women Airforce Service Pilots
2017
70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force and the Centenary of the Royal Air Force
2016
25th Anniversary of the Gulf War
2015
75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
2014
70th Anniversary
of D-Day
2013 – 70th Anniversary of Operation Chastise: the 'Dambusters' raid
2012 – Recognizing the Polish Pilots who flew with the RAF in the Battle of Britain and the Second World War
2011 – Guest of Honor: Sqn Ldr Tony Iveson DFC, Battle of Britain and No 617 Squadron (the 'Dambusters')
2010 – Guest of Honor: Wg Cdr Robert W Foster DFC AE, Chairman of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association
2009 – Inaugural dinner with Guest of Honor Colonel Buzz Aldrin
Sponsorship
Sponsorship opportunities are available in several categories and at various levels and are adjustable to meet any specific sponsor requirements of messages. The Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation is a 501 C 3 charitable non-profit organization and donations and sponsorship may be deductible to the extent allowed by law. All proceeds go to support the US-UK special relationship and the RAF Museum.
Individual seat or table purchases are also available.
Contact
To discuss your participation needs, please contact:
Angela Coleman, Executive Director – Tel: +44 7753 832480; Contact form
RAFMAF Swords of Honor
In 2009, the Foundation instituted the Sword of Honor to be presented annually to the RAF Officer on exchange with the USAF who has contributed most in the previous year to relations between our two nations and their air forces. In 2012, another sword was added to recognise the most outstanding USAF officer on exchange with the RAF. They symbolize the excellent work of Exchange Officers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The RAF Sword, which resides in the British Embassy, bears the inscription ‘Oh, thus be it ever when freeman stall stand’ – a line from Francis Scott Key’s 1814 poem, The Star Spangled Banner. Its USAF counterpart, which is inscribed with Winston Churchill’s quote ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few’, is on display in the Pentagon.
Previous winners
2023 – Sqn Ldr Joe Rigg RAF and Capt James M. Matheson USAF (above)
2022 – Flt Lt Christopher Bradshaw RAF and Capt Kaitlin M. Ellwein USAF
2021 – Sqn Leader Bonnie Posselt RAF and Capt Robert Ippolito USAF (right)
2020 – Grp Capt Andrew Lloyd RAF and Capt Katie Broyles USAF
2019 – Flt Lt Dave Finn RAF and Lt Col Tyler B. Smith USAF
2018 – Sqn Ldr Benjamin Durham RAF and Lt Col T Gwyddon Owen USAF
2017 – Sqn Ldr Wesley Pead RAF and Major James Rodgers USAF
2016 – Wg Cdr Andrew Massie RAF and Lt Col Jason Bartels USAF (right)
2015 – Sqn Ldr Ryan Wyn Beynon RAF and Capt Rosemary Perez-Howell USAF
2014 – Flt Lt Drew Buxton RAF and Maj Timothy Kipp USAF
2013 – Flt Lt Guy Butler RAF and Maj Heather Fox USAF
2012 – Flt Lt Si Holden RAF and Maj Jeff Mrazik USAF
2011 – Sqn Ldr Sally Courtnadge RAF
2010 – Wg Cdr ES Kendall RAF
2009 – Flt Lt Atila Batu RAF
Hidden Heroes
Held in March 2018 in New York City and the following month in Los Angeles, the ‘Hidden Heroes’ were lectures delivered by Joshua Levine
– a historian who has published a number of popular history books and also worked as historical consultant on the 2017 movie 'Dunkirk'.
The series ‘Hidden Heroes: Tales of Bravery and Determination’ highlights stories of some of the many Jewish volunteers who signed up to serve in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Wreath-laying at Arlington Cemetery
Members of the Foundation joined representatives of the RAF and USAF to support, celebrate and commemorate the relationship between the airmen of the UK and US militaries by laying a wreath at a grave within Arlington Cemetery that contains the remains of both British and American airmen.
2023
Celebrating
75 years of the
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight