Remember When: Queen Elizabeth’s Visit to Offutt Air Force Base

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S VISIT TO OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA, 15 OCTOBER 1984

by Dorene Sherman, former secretary to the Commander in Chief of Strategic Air Command

In October 1984 I answered the phone in the Protocol Office at SAC Headquarters, and a British Officer said they would be stopping at Offutt AFB on October 15 to refuel their airplane on the way back to the United Kingdom. When I asked who was on the flight, the answer was, “The Queen of England, who has been in Wyoming buying horses. They would be flying to the UK and needed to refuel their airplane.”

Offutt Base Officials had been notified of this in advance, and they now wanted to involve Protocol. Excitement filled the Base with readiness plans. The day came and the beautiful airplane arrived. We had a Squadron of Royal Air Force (RAF) people stationed here, and we also had a Victor and a Vulcan here at that time. We had the thirty RAF members all lined up in a very smart-looking line. After General and Mrs. Davis met Queen Elizabeth and gave her flowers, they escorted her to the RAF Military line, and the Queen shook hands with them all, telling them how proud she was of them. They met the Queen in Nebraska!

The Queen was then escorted to the CINC’s car and taken to the Strategic Air Command Headquarters, where the party was met by Protocol and went to the General’s Office for a visit with General and Mrs. Davis. After a wonderful visit, they left the office for the Staff Dining Room, escorted by General Davis and Protocol for High Tea. We had two British women working at the Officers’ Club who prepared the High Tea in a very proper manner.

On the way down the hall to the Dining Room, the party passed the Protocol Office and people were standing in the alcove. My daughter Kris was there holding her 2-year-old Austin. The Queen looked at him and said, “Beautiful Baby”. As we went down the hall, many people were in the doorways to get a glimpse of the Inimitable Queen Elizabeth. Then on to the Dining Room with General and Mrs. Davis where she and several of her party enjoyed the High Tea. We had to leave shortly as their airplane was refueled, so we escorted her and her party back to the flight line. Before she boarded the RAF VC-10 she smiled, waved, and said “Thank you” to us.

What an absolutely delightful day! Most certainly, one for our treasure trove of memories.