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F-16 Fighting Falcon News

Bulldogs deploy to support Operation Iraqi Freedom

December 4, 2008 (by Capt. Audra Flanagan) - Approximately 45 personnel and an undisclosed number of F-16s departed from the 148th Fighter Wing early Wednesday morning.

USAF F-16C block 25 #83-1155 from the 179th FS prepares to launch from Duluth IAP on December 3rd, 2008. The aircraft and maintainers will deploy to Balad AB as a part of an Air Expeditionary Force deployment. [USAF photo by TSgt. Jason W. Rolfe]

The 148th Fighter Wing will be supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM; providing Central Command Commanders air support.

The 148th has had personnel and jets at Balad Air Base since September 2008, providing Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS) support. In total, the 148th will have approximately 225 personnel deployed to Balad, while almost 50 more personnel are currently deployed to other mid-east locations, including Afghanistan.

This deployment is expected to conclude in January of 2009

This is the 148th Fighter Wing's third AEF deployment to Balad; previous deployments were in May-June 2005 and Mar-May 2007.

All of the 125 148th Fighter Wing personnel who departed on Thanksgiving have arrived safely at Balad.

Since the 148th Fighter Wing's last AEF deployment to Balad, the 148th has accomplished the following:

  • Sep 08 - the 148th provided air support during the Republican National Convention; establishing a second ASA Detachment in Minneapolis. During the convention, the 148th responded to three airspace violations and performed Combat Air Patrols.

  • Apr 08 - the 148th Fighter Wing was the first Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard unit to earn OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program Star Rating.

  • Jan to Feb 08 (6-weeks) - deployed personnel and jets to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska to perform Air Sovereignty Alert while Alaska F-15 pilots and maintainers completed training after being grounded for 3-months. While at Elmendorf, the 148th was the first F-16 unit to intercept a Russian "Bear" Bomber off the coast of Alaska.

  • Nov 07 to Jan 08 (2 ½ months) - deployed personnel and jets to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii to perform Air Sovereignty Alert (ASA) after the fleet of Air Force F-15s were grounded after an accident in St. Louis in early November 2007.

  • Oct 07 - the 148th earned an "Excellent" rating on their Operational Readiness Inspection.

  • June to July 07 (5-weeks) - deployed to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina to perform Air Sovereignty Alert at the request of the Air Force.


The 148th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard Wing based in Duluth, MN.

The 148th has 1065 personnel, of which approximately 450 are full-time and 600 are considered traditional guard members.

The 148th flies the F-16C, block 25 Fighting Falcon.





Courtesy of 148 FW

Additional images:

USAF F-16C block 25 #83-1155 from the 179th FS is launched in the early morning on December 3rd, 2008 from Duluth IAP. The aircraft and maintainers will deploy to Balad AB as a part of an AEF deployment. [USAF photo by TSgt. Jason W. Rolfe]

USAF F-16C block 25 #84-1245 piloted by Maj. Curt Grayson touches down at Balad AB on December 10th, 2008. Grayson's home unit, the Minnesota ANG's 179th FS, will carry the 332nd EFS designation while deployed. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

USAF F-16C block 25 #84-1242 piloted by Maj. Troy Zierden coasts to a halt after landing at Balad AB on December 10th, 2008. Zierden's home unit, the Minnesota ANG's 179th FS, will carry the 332nd EFS designation while deployed. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]
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