Photo By Lee Osberry | An F-15E Strike Eagle soars above Uvda Air Force Base, Israel, during the Blue Flag...... read more read more
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by Senior Master Sgt. Dwayne Gordon
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
UVDA AIR FORCE BASE, Israel – Under abnormal conditions and in an unfamiliar location, maintainers from Royal Air Force Lakenheath had to use their creative minds and adaptability to ensure mission success during the first-ever Israeli “Blue Flag” exercise.
Blue Flag, which took place Nov. 24-28, is a multinational aerial warfare training exercise hosted by the Israeli Air Force. The exercise included forces from the U.S., Israel, Italy, and Greece. Its objectives were to improve operational capabilities and combat effectiveness of the participating nations, and to foster combined relations, cultural understanding, and combat experience.
After being invited to participate in the exercise, the U.S. Air Force couldn’t confirm its presence until it was sure the location could accommodate the aircraft and support team.
“As a part of the advance team, we visited the base a couple months prior to the exercise to see if the base could accommodate the F-15’s and support personnel,” said Master Sgt. Jermey Carlock, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent and maintenance Project Officer for Blue Flag. “I immediately noticed several challenges that we would have to adapt to for mission success.”
One major challenge was the shape and size of the aircraft storage facilities. Due to the different types of aircraft used by the Israeli Air Force and the 492nd Fighter Squadron, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, the dimensions for the aircraft storage facilities are drastically different than what the maintainers are used to.
“When I first seen the layout of the area where the aircraft would have to taxi in and out of, and also be stored, I wasn’t sure it could be done,” said Carlock. “It’s an enclosed area which allowed minimum space for maneuvering aircraft and there was not a lot of clearance to transport our jets in and out of the storage facilities. But the team was able to adapt to the situation and mitigate all issues.”
First-time deployer, Airman 1st Class Kenneth Upshure, 48th AMXS Avionics apprentice, RAF Lakenheath, was able to see first-hand how challenging work can be away from home station.
“Work conditions were definitely different here,” said Upshure, “Due to limited space, if there was a problem with the jet, we had to fix it on the spot. We didn’t have the luxury to transport it to a hangar like we do at home station. But I liked it; it was more challenging, faster paced, and more pressure.
Adaptability was evident when witnessing the maintainers in action. They planned for the worst possible conditions to ensure mission success. They selected and deployed an “A-team” that was capable of self-sustainment, which consisted of flightline and back-shop personnel.
One of the back-shops that were a part of the “A-team” was the fuels systems repair team.
“We were prepared to fix any issue with the aircraft fuels system,” said Tech Sgt. Travis Merriman, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron, RAF Lakenheath. “The unique working conditions here caused everyone to work in the same area. We adjusted and did our part to make sure the jets were mission-ready and the exercise was successful.
Success was understatement. Personnel filled uncommon roles and assisted in areas that were different than their skill-set.
“When we weren’t conducting any fuel system repairs, we helped out where ever we could,” said Airman 1st Class Jacob Boot, 48 CMS fuels systems repair apprentice, RAF Lakenheath. “Due to the limited space, we helped marshal the jets in and out of the parking area. We made ourselves available to do anything we were asked to do.”
The 48th Fighter Wing displayed its best for this first-ever “Blue Flag” exercise. Their professionalism and expertise proved to be essential for a successful training opportunity.
The partnering nations expressed their satisfaction with the training provided and showed their appreciation for the invitation to the first-of-a-kind event.
| Date Taken: | 01.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2013 09:03 |
| Story ID: | 117577 |
| Location: | UVDA AIR FORCE BASE, IL |
| Web Views: | 530 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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