Liberty Spotlight: CMS Airmen keep F-15s mission ready Published Dec. 14, 2017 By Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Airmen from the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron ensure F-15s are mission ready and ensure the aircraft stay airborne and safe. The unit works every day to inspect, maintain and validate that every aircraft component is operating at optimal capacity, so that the 48th Fighter Wing can execute its mission to provide worldwide responsive combat airpower and support. “Aircraft can have all the bombs, missiles, instruments, and avionics equipment in the world installed on it, but the truth is it isn't going anywhere or completing the mission without an engine,” said the 48th CMS jet engine intermediate maintenance production supervisor. In the past four weeks, the 48th CMS has been inspecting the Liberty wing’s fleet of more than 130 F-15’s Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines to ensure they are ready to propel F-15s. “On an average day now, we have 12 to 15 engines spread out across four maintenance crews that require inspection, disassembly, and reassembly,” he said. “We have been working long hours and weekends with coordination between our fellow flight line maintainers and supervision to accomplish the time-sensitive inspection.” Within the first four weeks of this inspection the squadron has placed RAF Lakenheath's F-15 engine fleet at 64 percent inspection completion, well ahead of schedule. “That is a major accomplishment that I am proud of and seeing my fellow Airmen taking this head on and persevering against all odds,” he said. “This is what maintainers do!”