85th Group stands down Suite 5 Suite 5 85th ... - RAF Lakenheath

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Jet48FeatureRest comes to the“Guardians of the North”By Staff Sgt. Nicholasa Reed48th Fighter Wing Public AffairsThe 85th Group, a tenant unit at Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland,marked 55 years of heritage and cooperation during an inactivation ceremonythere Wednesday.“From fighters to helicopters, AWACS to tankers, NAS Keflavik hasseen almost every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory transitionthrough here over the years,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Steel, 48th FighterWing commander.During the ceremony, Col. Phillip Gibbons, 85th Group commander,relinquished command and encased the group colors.The 85th Group, which was aligned under the 48th Fighter Wing, consistedof seven squadrons and more than 1,300 people. The group wasresponsible for day-to-day flight operations of HH-60 helicopters, KC-130tankers and F-15 fighter jets.The U.S. military presence in the country began in 1941 at the requestof the Government of Iceland fearing an invasion by Germany. At the endof the war U.S. forces withdrew.In 1949, Iceland became a member of the North Atlantic TreatyOrganization and U.S. forces returned.The Air Force group survived growing pains such as designation andairframe changes, including the transition from the Army Air Corps to theU.S. Navy assumption of control and more.Another success came on December 7, 2001 when the 56th RescueSquadron was credited with completing their 70th life-saving mission duringtheir 14 months in Iceland. Members of the squadron responded to adistress call from an Icelandic fishing vessel that lost power in gale forcewinds and heavy seas.Pararescueman Staff Sgt. Jay Lane was presented with the Gold Medal ofValor of the Republic of Iceland for his actions during the rescue, making himthe first receipt of the gold level of the award.From 1971 to April 2003 the RQS made 308 saves during rescue operations.The group’s rescue operations were not just confined to Iceland. Threehelicopters and more than 60 personnel deployed to Sierra Leone, Africa inJuly 2003 in support of Joint Task Force Liberia. The RQS once againsaved lives by extracting personnel from the U.S. Embassy there and providinga peacekeeping presence over the city of Monrovia during civilunrest.Wednesday’s inactivation ceremony commemorated the rich history ofthe group and positive relationship with the host nation and the U.S. AirForce.File photoPAGE 12JET 48 MAGAZINEJUNE 30, 2006 JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 13
Jet48News48th OGwelcomes new CCBy Senior Airman Eric DonnerEditorCol. G. Arthur McGettrick accepted commandof the 48th Operations Group from Col. KentLaughbaum here during a ceremony Thursday.More than 200 supporters, family membersand friends came out to watch the change of command,which included formations from each operationssquadron.Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel, 48th Fighter Wingcommander, welcomed Team Liberty’s newest operationsgroup leader and his family to Lakenheath.“I’m excited to welcome Colonel McGettrick, avery highly experienced individual, who is sure to dooutstanding work for this wing,” said General Steel.Colonel McGettrick comes to RAF Lakenheathafter a year of studying at the National WarCollege in Washington D.C., where he receivedhis masters in national security strategy.“Loni and I are thrilled and honored to be part ofthe Liberty Wing team. We look forward to servingwith everyone here at RAF Lakenheath and buildingon the heritage and successes that have made thiswing the most lethal and respected combat wing inthe Air Force,” said Colonel McGettrick.Colonel Laughbaum will be taking commandof the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.“Command of the 48th Operations Group, particularlyduring this time of war, has been thehighlight of my time in service to the UnitedStates,” said Colonel Laughbaum. “I cannot fullyexpress my gratitude to the incredible men andwomen in service to America here at RAFLakenheath. You are a great generation of patriots,equal to any in our noble history. I ask that Godbless you all, and that He continue to bless ourbeloved country.”Farewell Colonel LaughbaumCol. G. Arthur McGettrickPhoto by Airman Jessica SnowCol. Kent Laughbaum, 48th Operations Group commander, gets soaked by his daughter after his final flight, June 21.Colonel Laughbaum relinquished command in a ceremony Thursday to Col. G. Arthur McGettrick.JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 14 JUNE 30, 2006
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85th Group stands down Suite 5 Suite 5 85th ... - RAF Lakenheath

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