ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Aircraft Structural Maintenance sheet metal flight performs to the tune of clanging of hammers on punches and the whine of drill motors as dedicated Airmen work hard to effectively ensure the aircraft of the 48th Fighter Wing are mission ready at all times.
The mission of Aircraft Structural Maintenance sheet metal flight is to examine each aircraft for any possible defects and build the most effective replacement; keeping every aircraft in the Liberty Wing mission ready.
“I think that one of the coolest things about this job is that we can create and fabricate anything,” said the 48th EMS A.S.M. sheet metal flight NCO in charge. “We could literally build an airplane with the exception of some key components.”
Structural maintainers work physically demanding days but have the satisfaction of knowing that their hard work helps keep the Liberty Wing’s F-15 Eagles and Strike Eagles in the air, and their aircrews safe.
“It’s a great feeling when you finish making something and you think ‘I made this myself’,” said the 48th EMS A.S.M. sheet metal flight shift supervisor. “There’s not many places around anymore that take a flat piece of metal and turn it into something.”
The diligence and attention to detail that 48th Aircraft Structural Maintenance Airmen deliver allows Liberty Wing F-15 aircrews to continuously provide specialized combat air power to United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.