Photo By Senior Airman Renee Nicole Finona | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Conner Conway, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron...... read more read more
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RAF LAKENHEATH, England – The 48th Fighter Wing has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first and only overseas location capable of repairing F-15 stabilator actuators in-house.
This significant innovation, known as the F-15 Stabilator Actuator Apparatus/Test Set, drastically reduces repair times and enhances mission readiness for U.S. Air Force fighter jets stationed abroad.
This collaborative effort was accomplished by the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron accessories flight, subject matter experts from across the 48th FW, Air Combat Command’s 4th CMS and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
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The F-15E Strike Eagle relies on its stabilator actuator, a critical hydraulic component that controls pitch and roll, to maintain its operational capability.
If an actuator failed, it was sent to depot repair facilities located at Hill AFB, Utah, or Warner Robins AFB, Georgia. Previously, this process could take an average of 70 days.
Recognizing the impact of these delays on mission readiness, RAF Lakenheath took the initiative to develop in-house repair capabilities for this component.
“Coming from Seymour Johnson, where I helped stand up their repair facility, I was able to bring that experience here to refine our process,” said Staff Sgt. Hunter Sherwood, 48th CMS hydraulics noncommissioned officer in charge. “Now, instead of waiting months, we’re turning these repairs around in a few days to keep our jets mission-ready.”
By leveraging the expertise of its maintenance teams and following the example set by 4th CMS, the Liberty Wing now boasts a repair turnaround time of under 24 hours.
“As the sole overseas location with this capability, RAF Lakenheath is now positioned to support not only USAFE, but also potential operational needs across EUCOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, and PACOM,” said Master Sgt. David DeJesus, 48th CMS accessories assistant flight chief.
With F-15E aircraft regularly rotating in and out of these regions, the ability to repair stabilator actuators locally will significantly enhance aircraft availability and combat readiness.
This initiative marks a historic leap forward in overseas maintenance capabilities, ensuring F-15Es remain mission ready while reducing logistical dependencies on stateside depots.
By leading the way in advanced maintenance solutions, the Liberty Wing continues to set the standard for combat air power, ensuring our fighters remain ready for any mission - anywhere, anytime.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2025 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 491101 |
| Location: | RAF LAKENHEATH, SUFFOLK, GB |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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