Courtesy USAF veteran John Kramer
written by Todd DePastino
The highlight of our WWII Air Fields Tour of England earlier this month was accompanying 102-year-old WWII veteran P-47 pilot Ed Cottrell back to his old 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath.
The Airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron treated Ed like royalty, and Ed climbed in a vintage P-47 the Nellie B. “I looked at the controls and it all came back to me,” he said.
Ed, who flew in the 493rd Fighter Bombardment Squadron from 1942 to 1945, shared stories from his time in combat with current 493rd FS members. It was inspiring to witness the legacy on display and see how quickly and deeply the current Airmen connected with Ed. “It’s been an honor to see the 493rd still flying eighty years after WWII,” said Ed. “I’m so thankful to be brought out here, sit in the P-47 cockpit and feel like I’m at home again.”
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, sits in the cockpit of a P-47 Thunderbolt at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. The P-47 Thunderbolt is a symbol of the 493rd Fighter Squadron’s historic role in air combat during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Grant “Shooter” Saum, 493rd Fighter Squadron commander, describes details about the F-35A Lightning II to Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. Cottrell visited to share his legacy as a WWII pilot and inspire the squadron’s current generation of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, stands in front of an F-35A Lightning II at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. Cottrell visited to share his legacy as a WWII pilot and inspire the squadron’s current generation of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, talks to a current P-47 Thunderbolt pilot at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. Cottrell visited to share his legacy as a WWII pilot and inspire the squadron’s current generation of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, watches a P-47 Thunderbolt take off from RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. The P-47 Thunderbolt is a symbol of the 493rd Fighter Squadron’s historic role in air combat during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, speaks with the current 493rd FS pilots at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. Cottrell visited to share his legacy as a WWII pilot and inspire the squadron’s current generation of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
Ret. U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, 493rd Fighter Squadron World War II P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, takes a group photo with current 493rd FS pilots at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 14, 2024. Cottrell visited to share his legacy as a WWII pilot and inspire the squadron’s current generation of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Delanie Brown)
RAF Lakenheath is the largest US fighter base in Europe. Its roots lay in World War I, but became a heavy bomber base in World War II, launching Short Stirling and Avro Lancaster bombers against targets in Europe.
In 1948, the United States Air Force (USAF) moved in as part of the USAF’s Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the early years of the Cold War.
In 1960, RAF Lakenheath welcomed the 48th Fighter Wing, where it has remained stationed ever since.
Today, the wing is home to F-15C and F-15E and welcomed the first delivery of the F-35A Lightning II in 2021. The 48th Fighter Wing is the only USAF fighter wing in Europe.
