RAF LAKENHEATH, England — The newly relocated 56th Rescue Squadron launched its first training flight from Lakenheath on Monday, according to a 48th Fighter Wing press release.
The 56th Rescue Squadron and 56th Aircraft Maintenance Unit moved from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, to RAF Lakenheath, where they will provide North Atlantic theater rescue, combat rescue and reaction force response services for the fighter wing and combatant commanders, the release said.
The squadron uses HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters to complete these missions, the release said. The Pave Hawk helicopters are built for combat search and rescue, infiltration, and can resupply special operations forces in day, night or marginal weather conditions.
About 75 maintainers and operators relocated with the units in June. The units expect about 200 more Air Force personnel to be assigned to them over the next year.