Wisconsin Air Guard Unit Sends Fighter Jets to Iraq

The 115th Fighter Wing launched 14 F-16 fighter jets earlier today (Sept. 22) as a part of the Wing’s scheduled Air Expeditionary Force rotation that began last week when approximately 200 Airmen deployed to Iraq.

Pilots from the 115th Fighter Wing step to their F-16 Fighting Falcons. Wisconsin Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Bell

The F-16s will fly to a stopover location in Europe for a pilot rest period before continuing to theater. It should be noted that take-off times are designed to correlate with specified arrival times at their destination.

The Airmen are expected to serve for approximately two months before being relieved by the Iowa Air National Guard from Des Moines. The 115th has previously deployed their aviation package in support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom in December 2004 to Qatar, and June 2006 and January 2008 to Iraq. Their mission is to support ground forces in Iraq with close air support and other combat capabilities directed by the combatant commander.

This is an historic situation in that the Wisconsin National Guard has more than 3,200 Soldiers on the ground in Iraq and they are among those the Wisconsin Air National Guard may support while in-theater.

Posted @ 11:50 p.m.