RAF Lakenheath hosts B.E.S.T. professional development program

Published Sept. 30, 2025
By Senior Airman Delanie Brown
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --

Liberty Wing Airmen sharpened their professional edge this year by participating in the Basic Enlisted Strategic Thinking (B.E.S.T.) course.

The course is a professional development program designed to give enlisted leaders the tools to think critically and connect daily operations to broader strategic objectives.

Airmen give a presentation to an SEL board — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Corbin, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron unit deployment manager, and Staff Sgt. Jaleek Barnette, 48th LRS refueling maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge, give a presentation on force protection during the Basic Enlisted Strategic Thinking course at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 30, 2025. The curriculum’s arrival at RAF Lakenheath underscores a growing focus on developing adaptable Airmen who can anticipate challenges and support strategic decision-making. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Delanie Brown)

The course, hosted at RAF Lakenheath, reflects the Air Force’s effort to expand strategic education across all ranks. Originally developed for the U.S. Space Force, B.E.S.T. introduces participants to frameworks that strengthen problem-solving skills, encourage long-range thinking, and highlight how tactical actions support larger mission outcomes.

As U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s only wing operating both F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs, the 48th Fighter Wing relies on agile, adaptable Airmen to meet the demands of modern, multidomain operations.

Courses like B.E.S.T. ensure that Airmen are prepared to anticipate challenges, weigh second- and third-order effects, and contribute effectively to leadership discussions.

airmen prepare a presentation — U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kimberlee-Christine Rodriguez, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron fuels system journeyman, listens to a presentation during the Basic Enlisted Strategic Thinking course at RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 30, 2025. The course supports a service-wide initiative to equip Airmen with the tools needed to link day-to-day tasks to long-range strategic goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Delanie Brown)

Airmen who completed the course emphasized its value in strengthening critical thinking, building confidence, and reinforcing a culture of initiative across the wing.

Although still under development as a formal Air Force education program, the adoption of B.E.S.T. at forward-deployed bases like RAF Lakenheath demonstrates its growing importance to the force.

By investing in strategic education, the Liberty Wing continues to prepare its Airmen to deliver air superiority, precision strike, and global combat power whenever and wherever they are called upon.