• Rethinking Innovation – USAFE units get ‘mad’

    Innovation Madness kicks off March 10 for the second installment of USAFE-AFAFRICA's unique awards program meant to stimulate a culture of innovation around the command.The second annual competition will award six monetary prizes.  The wing declared most innovative will receive $175,000 to be used

  • Surge ops increases air traffic

    The 48th Fighter Wing's jets are flying more sorties during the month of March."We are exercising the ability to fly a massive amount of sorties in a short amount of time, and preparing our pilots for operations that are outside the norm, so that they are ready in a stressful environment, to go out

  • 6 helos, 12 jets, one sky: US, UK forces train together

    The 56th Rescue Squadron from Royal Air Force Lakenheath and the 7th Special Operations Squadron from RAF Mildenhall flew to Hullavington Airfield to train alongside the British Army and Royal Air Force during exercise Voijek Valour, Feb. 29 - March 3.The exercise included six helicopters, 250

  • Commentary: Boots on ground

    I'll never forget the first time I wore my issued combat boots. I looked down at them and thought, "This is the beginning of a new future. I wonder where these boots will take me."I remember when I first contemplated what kind of job I wanted to pursue, and travel agent was the first to come to my

  • Express yourself

    I'm involved in every aspect of your life.It doesn't matter if you're a maintainer, "nonner," officer or enlisted. I don't care if you're trying to decide which bad guys to target or what to eat for dinner; you need me.I can be your worst enemy or your best friend. It's all up to you. Use me

  • Defenders: One team, one goal

    The crisp morning air was expected, but not the snow.Three squadrons milled about, stuffing weighted rucksacks to the brim and double checking that they would stay closed for what was about to come.Despite the wintry weather, everyone continued their preparations for the monthly 48th Security Forces

  • 2,000 hours in flight

    The 493rd Fighter Squadron commander, Lt. Col. John Stratton, earned his 2,000 flying hours patch Feb. 26.A crowd of more than 30 of Stratton's friends, family members and fellow Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing gathered as he pulled up to the protective aircraft shelter in his F-15C Eagle."My

  • Gone, not forgotten: Daughter receives gift from fallen father

    The tragedy that occurred on Oct. 21, 2015, will forever linger in the hearts of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 and Royal Air Force Lakenheath communities.On that day, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Taj Sareen, an F/A-18C pilot, died when his jet crashed shortly after takeoff from RAF

  • 493rd AMU: The gold standard at home, abroad

    They say maintenance is the backbone of the U.S. Air Force, and, if the 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit has anything to say about it, that's a true statement.The 493rd AMU's current mission is to keep the F-15C and D Eagles flying high during exercise Real Thaw, a Portuguese- led, large joint and