RAF Lakenheath squadrons resume flying

Published July 16, 2013
By Staff Reports
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- F-15 combat units from RAF Lakenheath resumed their standard flying schedule July 15 after a reduction in flying hours in April of this year due to sequestration.

The restored flying hour program represents $208 million of the $1.8 billion reprogramming allocation authorized by Congress. The money reinstates critical training and test operations for the Combat Air Forces fleet across the Air Force for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. This impacts not just United States Air Forces in Europe units, but also Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces units.

The return to the sky means a return to crucial training and development for aircrew and support personnel; however, the restoration of flying hours only addresses the next 2 1/2 months of flying up until Oct. 1.

"While we are pleased to be able to resume our regular flying hour program, we should remember that this is not a permanent solution," said Col. Mark Ciero, 48th Fighter Wing vice commander. "As we look forward to the next fiscal year we need to stay focused on cost-reduction throughout the wing."

Ciero also stressed the importance of training regardless of fiscal constraints.

"Providing combat ready air forces is priority one. We need to ensure that our aircrew and support personnel receive the best training possible via whatever means we have available, both now and in the future," he said.