Heavy lifting ties U.S., U.K. together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dawn M. Weber
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  
If you've noticed an unusual type of aircraft out on the flightline of Royal Air Force Lakenheath -- particularly an RAF cargo aircraft -- it's because Liberty Wing Airmen are working with British counterparts to ensure a safe arrival of Airmen and cargo to forward locations.

The Movement Coordination Centre Europe program helps strengthen air lift capabilities between the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force.

"Participating in the MCCE program gives us the opportunity to work with our allied nations and strengthen those bonds," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Fisk, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of air freight. "It also allows us mission flexibility."

Utilizing the MCCE program is new for the 48th Fighter Wing, noted Fisk. The MCCE program was established in 2007, recognizing shortages of Strategic Lift, and provides a multi-national coordinating body to optimize efficiency throughout the full spectrum of movements and transportation.

"It was a new process for us overall. Everything went really well," said Fisk.

By participating in the MCCE program, the U.S. and 24 other countries have a unique opportunity to work together, providing cost-saving alternatives through air lift and air-to-air refueling capabilities to allied nations.

"Learning to work alongside the RAF, it was interesting to learn their process, how they operate, how they do our job," Fisk said. "It gave us the opportunity to enhance our operability with our allied nations."

Airman 1st Class Adam Bowie, 48th LRS air freight specialist, worked closely with the RAF, coordinating, processing, and uploading cargo and luggage onto the aircraft.

"The most important part was to make sure we were communicating effectively, to ensure both parties had a clear understanding of what needed to be done," said Bowie.

RAF Lakenheath utilized the MCCE program to request a RAF C-17A GLOBEMASTER III and C-130J HERCULES, sponsored by the U.K. Utilizing these aircraft cut the cost of the mission by 1/3 according to Fisk, ensuring the prompt and safe arrival of the 492nd Fighter Squadron to Aviano Air Base, Italy.

"Whenever anything is new, you have to adapt to whatever the situation is," said Fisk. "We look forward to utilizing the MCCE program in the future."