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Alexander "Thorney" Thorne, a British Foreign Exchange Officer with the @usairforce went above and beyond - literally and figuratively - to honour Billy Fiske, the first American to die at the #BattleofBritain. 
On this 80th anniversary, read about his experience here
On this 80th anniversary, read about his experience here
"As a Brit who serves for & deploys w/ the USAF it was a personal journey of mine to honour Billy Fiske. I believe he represents the best of both our great nations. A son of one country but a man of two, he lived as a champion for the USA & died a hero for Great Britain" -Thorney
Last year, Thorney managed to get the “FISKE’ callsign authorised as an official 1st Fighter Wing callsign (assigned to 94FS) in honour of Billy Fiske.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Fiske's death, a 4-ship of Raptors flew using the “FISKE 1-4” callsign on #ExNORTHERNLIGHTNING in Wisconsin, alongside F-35s, F-18 Super Hornets, F-16s, T-38s & L-159s.
As the mission's lead instructor, Thorney flew with both & flags
As the mission's lead instructor, Thorney flew with both
& flags
The aim is to present the flags to the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation at a later date. Fiske is an inaugural inductee into their Hall of Fame for his participation & he carried the flag at the opening ceremony of the 1932 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid
flag at the opening ceremony of the 1932 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid
This is an excellent example of the friendship between our two nations.
Friends & allies then, friends & allies now.
Friends & allies then, friends & allies now.
