Nerve Center of Lakenheath garnishes AF-level award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicholasa Reed
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Some would describe the command post as the nerve center of the base. With 24 hour operations, 365 days a year, they are regularly taking in information and setting the base into motion. Whether it is a call to security forces about a threat at the post office or to a call to base commanders about an off-base incident, the command post is normally aware and handling it. 

According to Air Force leadership, RAF Lakenheath’s command post is the best at what they do Air Force-wide in the large unit category. The announcement was not a surprise to some, though. 

“This group of people that I lead, supervised, and manage is the smartest, hardest working people that I have had the privilege of serving with,” said Master Sgt. Donald Edington, command post superintendent. In 2005, the controllers handled more than 80 in-flight and ground emergencies, managing billions of dollars worth of assets. 

They also handled base command and control procedures during the London terrorist attacks, ensuring emergency and security measures were implemented in record time.
While the team seems to have no problem with the daily grind of working the command and control console, their off-the-console performance is just as notable. 

The team is responsible for the start of RAF Lakenheath’s local adopt-a-highway clean-up program, patrolling the outskirts of the base picking up litter and ensuring RAF Lakenheath always has her best face on. Additionally, they are also responsible for organizing the local high school’s first mentor program. 

Of course no office can maintain such a high standard without a robust training program; the RAF Lakenheath’s training plan was sent to all USAFE command posts and adopted as a model curriculum. 

“We had leadership that backed us every step of the way,” said Sergeant Edington. “Now that we have raised the bar, it’s time to hurdle it and continue with the excellence that we know we are capable of.”