The 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, England, has been recognized as the Air Force's top fighter squadron for its extensive work intercepting Russian aircraft in Baltic air space as tensions grew in 2014.
The squadron on May 29 was awarded the Raytheon Trophy for 2014, which has been awarded every year since 1953 for the top fighter squadron in the service.
The 493rd "Grim Reapers" had a busy 2014 in which they accomplished a rotation as part of the Icelandic Air Policing mission and rapidly deployed to Lithuania to assist in the Baltic Air Policing mission as Russia encroached on NATO airspace.
"You guys kept your readiness up," said Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, during a ceremony, according to a 48th Fighter Wing release. "You volunteered and were given the task to go to Iceland to do air surveillance and transition very quickly into air policing in the Baltics for the NATO mission."
During their deployment to Lithuania, the squadron's F-15Cs were on alert for 2,856 hours. They flew 480 alert lines, 221 armed over-watch sorties and 22 active air scrambles, intercepting 31 Russian Federation aircraft as the Russians threatened and sometimes violated Baltic airspace, according to the wing. The wing deployed 195 days straight in two locations.
"Once again, we have proof the world can change rapidly, and whenever that change happens, invariably, the solution falls onto air power," Gorenc said.
The Air Force's rotation through Eastern Europe to support NATO allies continues, with a new deployment of F-16s from the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing to Lask Air Base, Poland. The aircraft landed May 28 after deploying from McEntire Joint National Guard Base.
While deployed, the unit will train alongside Polish Air Force crews.
A-10s from the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, are continuing their tour across Eastern Europe, this time participating in close-air support exercises in Latvia. The units in late May finished a deployment to Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, where they worked in multinational close-air support operations with the Slovakia air force.
While in Latvia, the aircraft will take part in a U.S. Army-led exercise called Saber Strike 2015. The training lasts from June 8 to June 19. According to the Latvian Ministry of Defense.
