2006 A year in review Published Dec. 27, 2006 48 FW Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- January: Airmen Against Drunk Driving answer the call. Volunteers serve in the roles of dispatcher, speaker and driver. Speakers are available to talk about the AADD program and volunteer opportunities at commanders' calls, in processing briefings or the First Term Airmen Center. Ministry of Defence augments 48th Security Forces at base gates. The move to include MOD members at RAF Lakenheath's gates was made to ensure the same level of security is provided as 48th Security Forces face manning issues with increased deployments. February: Eagles Return. F-15E jets from the 492nd Fighter Squadron and more than 360 Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing returned from deployment Jan. 25 and 26 after supporting air operations in Southwest Asia. The pilots, maintainers, administrators and jets left RAF Lakenheath in September 20, 05 to support an Air and Space Expeditionary Force 120-day rotation at a deployed location. Opening of the new Boeing F-15C Mission Training Center .The center allows Air Force pilots in flight simulators at one location to train with pilots at other locations. The facility at RAF Lakenheath gives the Air Force enhanced simulator training as a realistic supplement to flight training. Lakenheath's largest loser. A total of 80 competitors cumulatively lost 500 pounds was education, focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle that incorporates exercise and nutrition. March: USAFE Idol rocks Liberty Wing. Ten Liberty Warriors took to the base theater stage for a night of showmanship and friendly competition during the RAF Lakenheath leg of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Idol talent contest. The contest was open to all active-duty Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing. April: El Dorado Canyon remembered. A memorial service and PAS rededication observing the two Liberty Wing warriors lost during Operation El Dorado Canyon commemorated the 20th anniversary of El Dorado Canyon. On April 14, 1986, fighters assigned to the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing launched the first modern combat operation against terrorism, flying into Libya to strike military targets as part of the historic Operation El Dorado Canyon. Twenty four F-111 aircraft departed RAF Lakenheath for the mission and only 23 aircraft returned. Family support center grand opening. The new Airman and Family Readiness, American Red Cross and Women, Infant and Child Care combined facility opened April 6. The $5.9 million project broken ground Jan. 30 and was finished in 13 months. May: Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley is named to serve as the 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. Chief McKinley assumed his new position July 1, following the June 30 retirement of Chief Master Sgt. Of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. The chief master sergeant of the Air Force serves as a personal adviser to the Air Force chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force and their families. Memorial Day at Madingley Cemetery. The cemetery land, given by the University of Cambridge to the U.S. to remember their fallen, was first established Dec. 7, 1943, the second anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Construction of the cemetery and memorial was completed in 1956, and was dedicated July 16 that year. East Anglia was used extensively during World War II, and a great number of airfields sprang up all over its flat landscape. Each year on Memorial Day the 48th FW leads the way on honoring those Airmen lost in our nations' wars at the cemetery. June: Liberty Wing receives high tech overhaul. The Liberty Wing took the AF lead in ensuring its aircraft are fitted with the most advanced avionics to carry the most accurate, lethal weapons in the Air Force inventory. The new Advanced Display Core Processors, Suite 5 soft-ware, improved Link 16 imagery and expanded munitions capabilities were installed on all deploying F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. 85th Group stands down. The 85th Group, a tenant unit at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, marked 55 years of heritage and cooperation during an inactivation ceremony. From fighters to helicopters, AWACS to tankers, NAS Keflavik has seen almost every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory transition through the base over the years. The 85th Group, aligned under the 48th FW, consisted of seven squadrons and more than 1,300 people. The group was responsible for day-to-day flight operations of HH-60 helicopters, KC-130 tankers and F-15 fighter jets. The 56th Rescue Squadron relocated to RAF Lakenheath to continue as an integral part of the 48th FW. July: Bulgaria bond. Airmen of the 492nd Fighter Squadron continue to build an international partnership with the Bulgarian Air Force. The pilots of the F-15E Strike Eagles and the MiG-29s and MiG-21s shared knowledge of aircraft and tactics as they concluded exercise Immediate Response 2006. The exercise provided for both air forces to share experiences and draw upon collective knowledge. Local captain and her family escape bombing in Lebanon .Capt. Jennifer Tay, an audiologist at RAF Lakenheaths's 48th Medical Operations Squadron, her husband and son arrived home safely after being stranded in Beirut for two weeks during the Israeli-Lebanon crisis. The Tay's were assisted out of Lebanon by boat, while U.S. Air Forces in Europe assets helped thousands of other evacuees. August: RAF Lakenheath hosts USAFE softball tournament. Members of the RAF Lakenheath men's and women's softball teams competed in the USAFE softball tournament here Aug. 14 though 16. Teams from six USAFE bases competed in the competition. September: Joan Mann Sports Day. Once a year, RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall set aside a special day for around 300 local disabled people. The Joan Mann Special Sports Day is sponsored and organized by the Top Three Fellowship, but relies almost entirely for its success on volunteers. Twenty years ago, Joan Mann was a Ministry of Defence employee on base, who had great sympathy for the particular difficulties experienced by special needs people of all ages. Thus, the special sports day was conceived. F-15Es deploy to Southwest Asia. The 494th Fighter Squadron and Airmen from the 48th FW deployed to Southwest Asia in support of AEF 4. October: Small diameter munitions make combat debut. The Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, deployed from RAF Lakenheath, loaded the first Guided Bomb Unit-39/B Small Diameter Bomb onto a F-15E Strike Eagle for a combat mission over Iraq. November: Liberty Airmen win USAFE soccer tournament. The RAF Lakenheath Eagles mens and womens soccer teams competed in a five-day USAFE soccer championship. Both teams ended up bringing home the championship in their respective divisions. Saving lives, right here, right now. The doctors and nurses of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, deployed from RAF Lakenheath, spent six months. training together and forging working relationships that translate to better medical care. The 506th is deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. December: Liberty housing opens doors. The first phase in a five phase housing project for RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall family housing opened Dec. 13 here. The newly renovated neighborhood, Liberty Village, will see an overall total of 606 newly constructed, energy efficient units that will incorporate walking paths as well as a community feel over the next few years. 3rd Air Force reactivated. The 3rd Air Force was reactivated Dec. 8. The numbered Air Force will plan combat and humanitarian operations in the USAFE area of responsibility.