414th FG trains with 48th FW at RAF Lakenheath

  • Published
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen assigned to the 414th Fighter Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., flew across the Atlantic Ocean to participate in their annual training Nov. 9 – 23, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

Immersion training between Active and Reserve Airmen serves an important role in backfilling positions and providing a helping hand while units are on deployment. This temporary duty to RAF Lakenheath provided an opportunity for 414th FG members to gain more hands-on experience, share knowledge and improve workflow with Airmen of the 48th Fighter Wing.

“It’s all about efficiency,” said Staff Sgt. Robert McMillian, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron aircraft hydraulic systems craftsman. “Each base has their own best practices and we can trade information and exchange ideas.”

Both Seymour Johnson and RAF Lakenheath house models of the F-15 Eagle, making it comfortable for members of the 414th to work with aircraft, equipment and processes.

“We hit the ground running on the first day,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Sumner, 414th Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “We integrated quickly and were ready to get to work.”

Tech. Sgt. Luke Scheffler, 48th MXS flight line expediter, said the Airmen enjoyed working alongside the reservists. He added that the reservists provided valuable insight into not only the maintenance field, but an understanding of reserve unit capabilities.

“The level of knowledge they possess and their willingness to help was instrumental in completing some complicated and aggressive maintenance,” said Scheffler. “They all had a great attitude when it came to accepting assignments and acclimating to working on a different flightline.”

414th FG Airmen operated together with numerous Liberty Wing Airmen in various work centers including the 48th Aerospace Propulsion flight, 48th Aerospace Ground Equipment flight, and the 48th Armament Support flight. They also took on crew chief duties for take-offs and recoveries on the flightline.

“When you’re always doing the same thing or working in the same place it’s great, but the benefit of being able to go somewhere else and learn other practices and work in a different environment is something we didn’t have the opportunity to do before,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Corrado, 414th Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent.

After the two-week training, Corrado was confident in the work the Active and Reserve Airmen were performing.

“I think it went outstanding, we were able to accomplish and exceed with everything we thought we were going to be able to do,” said Corrado. “But at the end of the day we couldn’t have done it without the 4th [Fighter Wing] and the 916th [Air Refueling Wing] and the 48th Maintenance Group making it as smooth as it was.”

The Air Force Reserves focuses on readiness through training sessions like this to ensure Airmen are combat-ready and able to integrate with active duty components in order to accomplish the Air Force mission.