48th MSG secures $95 million contract for deterrence initiatives Published Feb. 6, 2025 By Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Mission Support Group held a ceremonial contract signing for a $95 million telecommunications contract Jan. 30, 2025, at RAF Lakenheath, England. The contract supports the European Deterrence initiative, the F-35 Lightning II aircraft beddown and Surety at RAF Lakenheath and day-to-day mission needs of the U.S. Air Force communications squadrons located across the U.K. A ceremonial contract signing is conducted at RAF Lakenheath, England, Jan. 30, 2025. 48th Contracting Squadron contracting officers secured a $95 million contract with British Telecommunication to upgrade and maintain communication capabilities at installations across England. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “This contract is a powerhouse tool the 48th Fighter Wing uses to allow our U.K. bases to put money toward a mission requirement and British Telecommunications will execute,” said Maj. Ryan Menge, 48th Communications Squadron commander. The maintenance of U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force telecommunication systems across the U.K. are essential to not only existing missions, such as the daily communication squadron needs and the F-15 Strike Eagle, but also to the expansion of the U.S. Air Force role in the U.K. with the F-35 Lightning II aircraft and the Surety mission. U.S. Air Force Col. Glenn Cameron, 48th Mission Support Group commander, coins Claudia Evans, 48th Contracting Squadron contracting officer, for her role in securing a $95 million contract for bases across England at RAF Lakenheath, England, Jan. 30, 2025. Telecommunication contractor engineers are responsible for the installation and maintenance of U.S. Air Force cables and tubing across the U.K. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The ceremony was hosted by Lt. Col. Matthew Cromer, 48th Contracting Squadron commander, and overseen by Col. Glenn Cameron, 48th MSG commander. During the ceremony, contracting officers and contractors essential to getting the contract awarded were coined by Cameron, Cromer and Menge. The ceremony was concluded by Claudia Evans, 48th Contracting Squadron contracting officer, signing the contract on behalf of the 48th Fighter Wing, alongside a BT representative, a continuation of a decades long partnership in the U.K.