ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - A crew chief from the 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshalls in a HH-60 Pave Hawk after returning from several deployments, September 15, 2011. Approximately 60 members from the 56th Rescue Squadron returned home after back-to-back deployments lasting more than nine months in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector. The 56th RQS is a combat-ready search and rescue squadron of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters capable of executing all-weather search and rescue missions day or night in hostile environments in support of the United States and its allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Cory D. Payne)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Members of the 493rd Fighter Squadron and 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are greeted by Col. John Quintas, 48th Fighter Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. SaRita Lathan, 48th FW command chief, Col. Daniel Orcutt, 48th Operations Group commander, and other wing leadership after returning from deployment to Southwest Asia, Oct. 13, 2011. During the deployment, the squadrons? primary mission was to provide theater security for the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lausanne Morgan)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Liberty Airmen make final preparations on F-15 Eagles prior to take-off, April 8, 2011. The 493rd Fighter Squadron deployed members to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing and members of the Heavy Airlift Wing, Papa Air Base, Hungary, prepare to deploy in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, March 19, 2011. Members of the 48th Fighter Wing were recently notified that they would be supporting efforts in Operation Odyssey Dawn. The 48th FW provides all-weather, day or night air superiority and air-to-ground precision combat capability as well as combat search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Cory D. Payne)
BEDFORD, England -- Pararescuemen from the 56th Rescue Squadron use a local wind tunnel to practice free fall maneuvers Aug. 25, 2011. As "Guardian Angel" operators, the Airmen are tasked with the recovery and medical treatment of personnel in both humanitarian and combat environments, often employing free fall parachuting systems that require an advanced degree of skill and body control. The scale of the wind tunnel environment helps prepare the Airmen's individual and group skills without the requirement for parachutes or aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lausanne Morgan)
by Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/9/2011 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron celebrated their second anniversary on Nov. 10.
Two years ago, the 56th and 493rd Aircraft Maintenance Units merged to become the 748th AMXS after splitting away from the 48th AMXS. The 748th AMXS mission is primarily focused on providing safe and reliable F-15 and HH-60 aircraft and developing technically-proficient, well-rounded Airmen.
"The 48 Fighter Wing's mission is to provide worldwide responsive combat air power and support to meet U.S. objectives," said Lt. Col. Argie Moore, 748th AMXS commander. "This doesn't happen without aircraft maintenance organizations such as the 748th. Few other career fields operate in an environment of greater inherent risk, higher expectations or more stringent compliance standards."
The 748th AMXS units offer unique capabilities to the 48th FW.
"The 748th AMXS is one of the most versatile squadrons I have ever been a part of," said Master Sgt. Andrew Van Houten, 493rd AMU production superintendent. "Not many squadrons, if any, in the Air Force have fixed-wing and rotary aircraft assigned together. Both the aircraft and helicopter maintenance units have completely different missions and yet we operate efficiently together every day."
Within the last year, the squadron was deployed 11 out of 12 months.
The 493rd AMU deployed in support of NATO operations in Lithuania, Romania and Iceland simultaneously. Shortly after returning from Lithuania they deployed for six months to Southwest Asia.
The 56th AMU, whose motto is "these things we do that others may live," is another part of the 748th AMXS and the only unit in U.S. Air Forces in Europe that provides combat search and rescue along with medevac capabilities.
The 56th AMU returned from a four-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in April. While they were still on reconstitution they were recalled to deploy in support of Operation Unified Protector and Operation Odyssey Dawn. They were the first unit to deploy from RAF Lakenheath.
"In my unit, the 56th AMU, all sections deploy together and we have deployed four times in the last two years," said Tech. Sgt. Benton Brown, 56th AMU production expediter.
The 748th's hard work and endeavors have made their commander proud.
"First and foremost I'm proud that my Airmen honorably represent our squadron and country," said Moore. "The accomplishments over the last year are second to none."
The 748th AMXS was recently named the best aircraft maintenance squadron at RAF Lakenheath and are now competing for the best squadron in USAFE.
