Lakenheath munitions unit garners Air Force-level award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Hess
  • 48th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (USAFENS) --  The 48th Munitions Squadron was awarded the Air Force Maintenance Excellence award recently.

“From the time I took command it was obvious to me we were blessed with all the critical components necessary to be a world-class organization — a diverse, aggressive mission, unbelievable Senior NCO and NCO leadership — and hard-working, enthusiastic Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Petters, 48th Munitions Squadron commander.

The aggressive, diverse mission was exemplified by providing intermediate-level and flight line maintenance support for dozens of 48th FW aircraft. Their responsibilities included inspection, testing, accounting, storage, assembly and delivery of conventional and Protection Level-1 assets and maintenance of critical suspension equipment and weapons storage and security systems.

“Supporting the F-15C and E models means that we get to work with a wide variety of cutting-edge munitions,” said Colonel Petters.

The squadron managed a $279 million ammo account, 96 facilities on 130 acres and deployed two-thirds of the squadron while supporting 15 operational, training and exercise deployments to nine different countries in four areas of responsibility.

“They’re out there in all kinds of weather, 24 hours a day — more often than not working through some portion of the weekend,” said Colonel Petters.

They went through several inspections with excellent ratings. The squadron supported the Excalibur bombing competition here in September, directly supporting 12 F-15Es and 12 F-16s from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, with more than 11,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition and 150 BDU-33 practice bombs. The munitions support garnered the Top Gun Award during the competition.

The squadron actively supported the F-15 Road Show involving Red Flag, Combat Hammer and Combat Archer at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Hill AFB, Utah, and Nellis ARB, Nev.

While the maintenance excellence award is based on mission-oriented criteria, the squadron played out the excellence of the whole person role.

“When they get off duty, they won multiple base sports championships, and this winter sponsored a huge Christmas party for hundreds of local youth,” said Colonel Petters.

“I’ve never been prouder to be associated with a group of men and women; they deserve to be called the best,” he said.