56th Rescue Squadron Bids Farewell To RAF Lakenheath

Two HH-60G Pave Hawks land on the flightline during a farewell event for the 56th Rescue Squadron at Lakenheath on May 15, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

The US Air Force's 56th Rescue Squadron held an official farewell ceremony at RAF Lakenheath on May 15, 2018. The squadron, along with the 57th Rescue Squadron, are nearing the completion of their move to Aviano Airbase in Italy which was first announced in November 2015.

Two HH-60G Pave Hawks prepare to land during a farewell event for the 56th Rescue Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, May 15, 2018. The event signals the near-completion of the 56th and 57th RQS relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy, which was announced in November 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

The unit operates five HH-60G Pave Hawks and contains 350 personnel. Two HH-60Gs were present for the farewell ceremony at Lakenheath, with most of the unit's aircraft and personnel already relocated to Italy.

The 56th Rescue Squadron has been based at Lakenheath since 2006, when it relocated from Keflavik in Iceland. It is expected that the unit relocation will be completely finished by the end of June 2018.

Two HH-60G Pave Hawks make their final departure from the 48th Fighter Wing during a farewell event for the 56th Rescue Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, May 15, 2018. Relocating to Aviano Air Base, Italy, will provide strategic combat search and rescue capabilities to the European and Africa theaters of operations and provide unique training opportunities for the units with partners and Allies in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Fox Echols III)

An HH-60G Pave Hawk prepares to land during a farewell event for the 56th Rescue Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, Engalnd, May 15, 2018. The event signals the near-completion of the 56th and 57th RQS relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy, which was announced in November 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Sparks)