First flight Dream vacation First flight Dream ... - RAF Lakenheath

Graphic by Airman 1st Class Michael HessJet48FeatureA1C Staff Sgt. Kirk Evans conducts apreflight inspection on an HHH60, earlyMonday morning. He is a helicopter crewchief assigned to the 56th AircraftMaintenance Unit. A pre-flight inspectionconsists of a basic overview of all componentsassociated with the helicopter.Staff report48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs officeJuly 24 the 56th Rescue Squadron launched its first flight out ofRAF Lakenheath at noon.“We are very excited to get our local flying started,” said Lt.Col. Thomas Greetan, 56th RQS commander. “It’s a tribute to allthe various groups and squadrons within the wing who have playeda significant part in bringing the squadron to its current operationalcapability since we arrived and maintaining our alert up atIceland.”The 56th RQS and 56th Aircraft Maintenance Unit relocatedhere from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland last month. Thesquadron provides North Atlantic theater rescue, combat rescue andreaction force response services for the 48th Fighter Wing andcombatant commanders. To complete this mission, the 56th RQSuses HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters which will increase thewing’s ability to meet the nation’s warfighting mission, ColonelGreetan said.The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters are combat search and rescue,infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operationsPhoto by Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Johnsonforces in day, night or marginal weather conditions. The HH-60GPave Hawk provides the capability of independent rescue operationsin combat areas up to and including medium-threat environments.Currently there are about 75 maintainers and operators whomoved with the unit to RAF Lakenheath in June. About 200 U.S.Air Force personnel and their families are expected to be assignedto the 56th RQS and 56th AMU over the next year.PAGE 12 JET 48 MAGAZINE JULY 28, 2006 JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 13