Flag football brings US, UK, France together at Lakenheath

RAF Lakenheath hosted service members from the United States, United Kingdom, and—for the first time—France for its annual NATO flag football tournament on 16 May 2025, marking the third edition of the event and a growing tradition of strengthening military ties through sport.

Players from the U.S. tri-base area (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell) faced off against teams from the UK Armed Forces and the French Armed Forces’ Football Américain des Armées in a day filled with friendly competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.

Chief Master Sgt. Peter Martinez, 48th Fighter Wing command chief, noted: “It was an incredible moment to see both our Airmen and their families stationed here overseas side by side with our NATO allies experiencing a slice of American culture.”

Supported by the NFL’s New York Jets as part of their Salute to Service initiative, the event included team jerseys, game balls, and tailgate festivities complete with cornhole, hot dogs, and static displays.

The inclusion of the French team was a milestone. Yohan Calatyud, FAA team president, said: “It’s like a dream… to meet you, to meet with the British Army, to play football, to be in England… You did the maximum to host us and it worked perfectly.”

The U.S. team came out on top in the round-robin format, winning both games. Senior Airman Calis Clubb from the 48th Security Forces Squadron was named MVP. “I was kind of worried coming overseas, I wasn’t gonna get the same kind of fun… being able to do stuff like this with other countries and buddies from different squadrons was a good time,” he said.

Master Sgt. Emmanuel Yates, the U.S. project officer, added: “A lot of what we do these days involves a constant commitment to assure our allies… hopefully this is one way we can show that engagement.”