I spent nearly two years in the area 91-92. Civilian contractor, supporting the U.S. bases in the region. Most of my time was spent a Mildenhall and Lakenheath.
DoD gave me Company Grade officer status, to make interaction with military security, facility and fire services easier. Not as nice as that may sound, because the NCO clubs are much nicer than officer, and the fire service was still mad at me when I had to deny them access someplace.
Agreed, it’s a great place to live and work. The people I was with joked we were there for three reasons. The first was to make money (per diem and overtime), second was tourism, and we also had a job to do.
I was able to get out quite a bit, and hit attractions between Dover and Edinburgh, Portsmouth to Chatham, London (lots) and Cambidge to Warwick.
Attended Thursday night “Hog Call” at the Bob Hope Rec Center as well, I presume?