KEFLAVIK, Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Airman 1st Class Thomas Trimeloni, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, puts a cover on an AIM-9X missile Sept. 16, 2010. Airman Trimeloni is deployed from the 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, in support of the Icelandic Air Policing mission. The IAP is conducted as part of NATO's mission of providing air sovereignty for member nations and has also been conducted by France, Denmark, Spain and Poland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

KEFLAVIK, Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Staff Sgt. Josh Howell, 493th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, repairs wires on an F-15 on Sept. 15, 2010. Sergeant Howell is deployed from the 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, in support of the Icelandic Air Policing mission. Approximately 200 personnel are deployed from around the globe in support of the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

KEFLAVIK, Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Staff Sgt. Brandon Mulford, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, turns an F-15 around so he can put the aircraft in a hangar Sept. 16, 2010. Sergeant Mulford is deployed from the 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England. In addition to the Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, there are Airmen from as close as the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England, and as far away as the 56th Training Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

KEFLAVIK, Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Airmen back an F-15 into a hangar Sept. 16, 2010. The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has been maintaining control of the Icelandic Air Policing mission since Sept. 6, 2010, when the squadron achieved full operational capable status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Linch)

KEFLAVIK, Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland - An F-15C Eagle flies over Iceland during a flight in support of the Icelandic Air Policing mission Sept. 15, 2010. The IAP is conducted as part of NATO's mission of providing air sovereignty for member nations and has also been conducted by France, Denmark, Spain and Poland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Andrew Rose)

Keeping the Eagle Soaring

Published Sept. 17, 2010
By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KEFLAVIK, Iceland -- While F-15s police the skies over Iceland, Airmen below are constantly turning wrenches, consulting technical orders and working on the aircraft. These Airmen ensure the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's fleet of F-15s are ready at any moment to support NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission.

"Our mission is to ensure there are F-15s ready to support the Icelandic Air Policing mission at all times," said Master Sgt. Paul Williams, the 493rd EFS Production superintendant. "We keep the aircraft at a mission capable rate through preventative maintenance and by repairing any aircraft systems that are inoperable or have been damaged."

According to the 21-year Air Force veteran, there are maintenance Airmen from all over the globe here with a wide array of skill sets.

Senior Airman Korie Parker, a 493rd EFS jet engine mechanic deployed from RAF Lakenheath, England, is one such Airman.

Airman Parker, a Georgia native who celebrated his 24th birthday on Sept. 3, says he loves his job because of the satisfaction he gets knowing pilots are able to go up, do their job and return safely thanks to the 'great maintenance' he does on the F-15's engines.

Along with Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, there are Airmen from other bases such as Aviano Air Base, Italy, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and as far away as Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, coming together to make up the maintenance capabilities of the 493rd EFS. These Airmen do everything from arming and refueling to repairing every aspect of the aircraft such as the electronics, hydraulics, engines and flight control systems.

Sergeant Williams says the Airmen are doing an outstanding job keeping the aircraft ready to accomplish the mission.

"Everybody is working hard and working together," the Louisiana native added.

Their hard work continues to pay off as the Liberty Wing's F-15s successfully supports the IAP mission.

"There are more jets on the ramp now than there have been here since 1994," stated Lt. Col. Connor Blackwood, 493rd EFS commander, deployed from the 493rd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England. "Our maintainers do an amazing job ensuring each and every single one of our F-15s are ready to support the Icelandic Air Policing mission."