Capt John Hall, USAF
48MDOS/RAF Lakenheath
Air Fete, held each year at RAF Mildenhall in England, is one of the largest military airshows in the word. The event attracts nearly 200,000 visitors from around the globe and is joint sponsored by the American and British air forces.
Last year, at Air Fete '98, a new display was introduced in the exhibition hanger to promote awareness of hazardous noise in aviation and the need for hearing protection and hearing conservation. To appeal to an even larger area of interest, the Auditory Readiness Information Center was combined with other displays of aviation human systems technology under the title of Aerospace Medicine.
Flight medicine topics from hypoxia to G-suite development were presented in conjunction with auditory readiness and hearing conservation. Hands-on items such as the Combat Edge Pressure Suite, an ejection seat, a centrifuge ride video, and personal protective gear attracted much attention. Over 200 pairs of foam insert noise plugs were dispensed to the public and The Radio Suffolk BBC commentary reported this display to be the "most interesting" in the Air Fete exhibition hanger. The Aerospace Medicine Squadron Commander was even on hand for an interview.
A complete description of the planning and implementation will be offered. Ideas and talents from base graphics to the base arts & crafts shop were utilized to put together this museum quality professional display.