Backbone to success Published Aug. 19, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Dawn M. Weber 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Without the Airmen of the 48th Medical Support Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath's hospital equipment wouldn't get the proper maintenance to continue treatment for the six medical clinics they service throughout the U.K. and Norway. "Our mission is to ensure patient and staff safety," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Schaffer, 48th Medical Support Squadron biomedical equipment maintenance technician. "We accomplish that by calibrating and repairing all the medical equipment in the hospital." The 48th MDSS medical logistics flight Airmen perform preventive maintenance and safety inspections, as well as mechanical and electronic troubleshooting for all medical equipment on RAF Lakenheath and at their regional clinics. According to the Airmen of the medical logistics flights, it's the preventative maintenance that makes going to work worth the long hours. "I like knowing that the equipment that I maintain has the potential to save lives on humanitarian, combat search and rescue, or deployment missions," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Ensley, 48th MDSS BMET. Airman 1st Class Nicholas Eskridge, 48th MDSS BMET, also said the most rewarding aspect of the job is knowing the equipment he's serviced will be used safely on a patient. "In this career field, it helps to create a personal perspective so you can relate to each and every piece of equipment you touch; it helps avoid complacency," Eskridge said. "Everything can be hazardous if it is not serviced properly, so it's imperative to approach each work order with the same mindset and integrity. What if it was your own family member on the table?"