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Eielson F-16s participating in Commando Sling

January 15, 2007 (by AFNEWS) - Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Singapore to participate in the second iteration of Exercise Commando Sling, which began Jan. 8 and runs through Jan. 26.

USAF F-16C block 40 #89121 from the 18th Fighter Squadron waits to taxi to its parking spot during an operational readiness inspection. [USAF photo by SA Joshua Strang]

An annual series of exercises, Commando Sling began in 1990 to provide combined air combat training for U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter units. The exercises enables U.S. Airmen to sharpen their air combat skills, improve procedures for sustained operations at a non-U.S. base, and enhance military partnerships between the two nations, according to 13th Air Force officials here.

Air Force F-15C/D Eagles from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, participated in the first Commando Sling 07 exercise Oct. 16 to Nov. 3, and Air Force F-16s from the 8th FW at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will participate in the third exercise scheduled for May. The fourth and final iteration for 2007 is scheduled in July and will include F/A-18 Hornets from the U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft Group 12 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.


Additional images:

USAF F-16C block 40 #89-2074 assigned to the 18th FS taxies on the runway at Eielson AFB on May 19th, 2004. The aircraft is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and a AGM-65 Maverick Missile. [USAF photo by SrA Joshua Strang]