Photo By Senior Airman Seleena Muhammad-Ali | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cesar Badell-Morales, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron...... read more read more
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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – The 48th Civil Engineer Squadron structures shop is responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of buildings and facilities across the installation. From hangars and offices to dormitories and secure facilities, the team ensures every structure meets operational standards. Their responsibilities include roofing, carpentry, masonry, metal fabrication and welding, all of which are vital skills for daily operations and emergency responses.
One of the most important aspects of their work is maintaining operational infrastructure. In a military environment where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, the structures shop keeps the base mission capable by ensuring all physical spaces are functional, secure, and compliant with safety codes.
“We are the jack of all trades when it comes to CE,” said Senior Airman Cesar Badell-Morales, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice. “We work with buildings or general structures, and we do everything that's not electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. Preventive maintenance is important because when you have critical failures on buildings that are 100% mission essential, one, it takes away from the mission, and two, it costs a lot more to fix it.”
Beyond preventative maintenance, the structures shop also supports ongoing construction projects that modernize and expand the ability of the base to support and exercise missions critical to the European Theater.
One of their highest priorities is the upkeep of protective aircraft shelters, which are mission-critical structures designed to house and protect fighter aircraft from environmental damage, surveillance, and potential attacks. These shelters must function properly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure aircraft can launch at a moment's notice.
“Making sure that aircraft shelter doors are working is our number one priority,” said Gary Whitfield, 48th CES structures shop foreman. “If there's an aircraft in the shelter that needs to fly a sortie and the doors don’t work, then it can’t take off. That’s the difference between mission success or failure.”
In addition to maintenance, during emergencies such as natural disasters or security threats, the structure’s shop is often among the first to respond, reinforce damaged buildings or set up temporary structures to maintain base functionality. Their adaptability and rapid response are essential during high-stakes situations.
“We also affect everybody else's missions through security, with doors and locks,” said Badell-Morales. “That matters whether it’s an aircrew needing access or securing a classified area, structures is part of that equation.”
Meeting the structural demands of an active fighter wing requires coordination, adaptability and mission focus that the structures team executes on a day-to-day basis. They handle a high volume of taskings, ranging from emergency response to routine preventive maintenance, all critical to sustaining base operations.
The Liberty Wing U.S. Airmen and UK civilian personnel operate as a cohesive unit, leveraging combined experience to ensure infrastructure remains functional, secure, and ready to support sortie generation at any time.
“The volume of work here is intense, and the pace is fast compared to other bases,” said Whitfield. “The camaraderie is great. We’ve got UK civilians working with U.S. Airmen, teaching the trade while also getting the mission done. It’s a challenge but it’s a great place to work.”
Structures troops are craftsmen, engineers and problem solvers who ensure RAF Lakenheath remains a secure, capable and mission-ready installation.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2025 10:19 |
| Story ID: | 499834 |
| Location: | GB |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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