Creating ties with RAF counterparts Published Aug. 11, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Abby Finkel 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Operations Support Squadron hosted eight members of the Royal Air Force Coningsby survival equipment team here, Aug. 9. The survival equipment team came for a series of tours and demonstrations aimed at introducing them to U.S. Air Force aircrew flight equipment and capabilities. “The purpose of the visit was to develop a link between the survival equipment teams of the Royal Air Force and the U.S. Air Force,” said Royal Air Force Cpl. Ryan Duke, RAF Coningsby survival equipment flight survival equipment specialist. “It’s about understanding the big picture and understanding each other’s capabilities,” said Master Sgt. Kyle Richardson, 48th OSS AFE lead trainer. “We will work together at some point.” Since both groups have essentially the same job, just for different air forces, it is useful for them to share knowledge, procedures and practices. The sharing of information is reciprocal. Members of the 48th OSS were also recently guests at RAF Coningsby for a similar tour. The survival equipment mind-melding will continue during joint-training exercises scheduled to be held in a few weeks.