Racial Conflict At USAF Bases

Black and white US servicemen give their views on racial tension at Bentwaters / Woodbridge air bases.

A report on racial tension at Bentwaters / Woodbridge air bases. Black and white US servicemen give their views. A black man says there can be abuse for white men who associate with black men on the base. A shot of a security police car patrolling on base is followed by an office scene of uniformed black and white men working at desks. A white man refers to incidents of name calling. Another white man is more specific, referring to calling people ‘nigger’ or ‘honky’, saying it would be no different than if you (the interviewer) ‘go downtown and called a Pakistani a wog’. Other servicemen express views that overall there are fairly good relations on the base with isolated problems, and that some might be too quick to label any incident between black and white people as having racial overtones. The Commander has recognised the problem, is responding to it, and is committed to equal treatment and equal punishment. A white man says it is fortunate there are no militant groups or uprisings on base. Another talks about the bi-racial committee established by the Commander, and says that the race situation on base is far better than back home in the States. The Anglia Television reporter speaks to camera about the air base as a microcosm of the United States reflecting the same problems, and the determination of Commander Bartholf to tackle racial conflict at Bentwaters. There are some sequences without sound on this film.

Keywords

Race relations; Racism; Multi Culturalism; Diversity; Armed Forces

Background Information

General Bartholf was commander of the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge 1963 – 1965. In August 1969 he returned to Royal Air Force Station Bentwaters / Woodbridge where he was assigned as vice commander and then as commander of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing until changing post in August 1970.