Always ready: 492d FGS Airmen own the skies at Ocean Sky

Published Nov. 18, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis
48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

Airmen of the 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron showcased what it means to provide maintenance in any environment at Ocean Sky 25, Oct 20-31.

The 492nd FGS supported two aircraft launches a day during the two week long large force exercise.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Arnold Semilla, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron F-15 electrical and environmental systems craftsman, observes his peers during a part replacement on a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Gran Canaria, Spain, Oct. 22nd, 2025. Enlisted maintainers drove mission success during the exercise by inspecting, repairing, and maintaining aircraft through expert technical knowledge and skill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

During the first week an F-15E Strike Eagle landed with an illuminated amber warning light. Routine maintenance quickly shifted to a unique challenge, requiring a unique solution.

“We had to coordinate with engineers back in the states to get approval because we don’t have the same capabilities here as we do back at home station,” said Master Sgt. Jarrid Bartoy, 492nd FGS production superintendent.

An issue with one of the aircraft’s integrated drive generators , located with the aircraft’s hydraulic pumps, meant that the aircraft couldn’t operate at full capacity.

A team quickly formed together of crew chiefs, electrical and environmental systems and fuels Airmen.

“As we began to tackle the problem, I realized I encountered a similar event on my last exercise in Finland,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Elcombe, 492nd FGS F-15 electrical and environmental systems craftsman.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Elcombe, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron F-15 electrical and environmental systems craftsman, right, and Senior Airman Xavier Bettencourt, 492nd FGS aircrew electrical and environmental systems journeyman, inspect oil from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Spain, Oct. 22, 2025. During this large force exercise, aircraft maintainers and crew chiefs sustained high sortie rates, supporting air-to-air training to strengthen interoperability and partnership among participating nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

Together the Bolar maintainers were able to adapt a unique approach to the issue by manually draining the aircraft of oil, checking for contaminants and bringing in a new integrated drive generator. The team spotted an issue and was able to replace a critical portion of the part on the flightline, a task normally only performed in a backshop.

“With my previous experience in the field and the team’s combined systems knowledge we were able to make sure the aircraft was ready to fly again that week,” said Elcombe.

Throughout the exercise, each challenge faced by the Madhatters was an opportunity to revisit operating procedures and develop alternative methods to meet mission demands while away from home station.

“Everyone’s working night and day to keep the jets turning,” said Capt. Lydia Knutson, 492nd Fighter Squadron F-15E pilot. “We haven’t had any lines fall out yet, which has been pretty incredible and just goes to show how much everyone’s working to support our mission.”

Exercises like Ocean Sky offer a unique opportunity to train in a focused, fast paced environment, encouraging the team to work and train closely.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Carlos Vazquez, 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron electrical and environmental systems apprentice, performs maintenance on a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Exercise Ocean Sky 25 at Gando Air Base, Spain, Oct. 22, 2025. During this large force exercise, aircraft maintainers and crew chiefs sustained high sortie rates, supporting air-to-air training to strengthen interoperability and partnership among participating nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis)

“I want to give a shoutout to the entire team. They’ve had their foot on the gas the entire time getting after all these different issues and pushing hard day after day,” said Bartoy. “Just by doing these reps we’re getting improvement after improvement and win after win.”