48th AMDS Airmen get their hands dirty Published Sept. 1, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Erin R. Babis 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Liberty Airmen from the 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron conducted a two-day training event on base called Preventive Environmental Sustainment Training (PESTFEST) on Aug. 26-27, to maintain skills necessary in deployed environments. PESTFEST was developed for Public Health and Bioenvironmental Engineering flights to conduct hands-on readiness training in preparation to perform bare base operations. "The goal is for each flight to learn from one another," explained Tech. Sgt. Samantha Plemons, Physical Health Assessment Clinic NCO in charge. "The biggest benefit is that it unites us as a team and builds respect for each other's role in the mission." The training directly benefits Airmen preparing for deployments. "We often do not have the luxury of the Team Aerospace specialties on a deployment so this combined training becomes paramount in ensuring we meet mission needs downrange," Plemons said. The second day, a hands-on deployment scenario, was the most anticipated. Participants were given a scenario and it was up to them to determine if the location was suitable to support deployment operations. "The information in books and manuals can only take you so far and often the most practical learning comes from getting your hands dirty," Plemons explained.