Lakenheath pilots putting in air time in Afghanistan

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The 494th Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, UK just began its four month tour here after replacing a unit from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC.


Lakenheath pilots putting in air time in Afghanistan
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, May 6, 2008

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — The last pair of F-15E fighter jets from the Lakenheath-based 494th Fighter Squadron arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday to begin its four-month deployment. Pilots looking for some action couldn’t have come at a better time.

As the weather begins to warm up, so does the fighting between coalition forces and Taliban fighters.

That’s fine by Tech Sgt. Andrew Johnson, a squadron crew chief who is on his first deployment where he can get “close to the bad guys.” When pilots are busy, so are mechanics like Johnson. But the heavy workload is a small price to pay for the chance to help the squadron, part of the 48th Fighter Wing, help U.S. and coalition forces on the ground.

“You know, I haven’t actually been on a deployment where we’ve dropped a lot of lead on bad guys,” Johnson said. “And I’m really hoping to see some good stickers on the side of airplanes.”

The stickers he is referring to tally the bombs dropped and missiles launched by a pilot in wartime. It is a tradition for many pilots and crew chiefs to slap on a sticker each time ordnance is used.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54570