Joint Base Balad Deployment Update 2009

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 01 Jan 2009, 13:34

Other Balad Air Base Deployment Update threads:

<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-4207.html">Balad Air Base Deployment Update 2005-2006</a>
<a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-11344.html">Balad Air Base Deployment Update 2007</a>
<a href="http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-11343.html">Balad Air Base Deployment Update 2008</a>

First personnel from the 482nd FW (AFRC), Homestead ARS, Florida, will deploy next week for USAF's upcoming AEF 7/8 (Cycle 7) rotation:

13 WMAZ wrote:Macon Mother Prays for Iraq-Bound Son

December 31, 2008 • 3:53 pm

With a tear in her eye, Phyllis Nathan looks at the medals her son earned while in the Air Force.

The United States Air Force awarded Airman First Class Jason Nathan a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Airman Nathan was killed while on duty in Iraq by an improvised explosive device, or IED in June of 2007.

Ms. Nathan says she's still not over Jason's death and that's why it's so hard seeing another son going to Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Joe Nathan Jr. got his orders in June.

His air force reserve unit, the 482'nd aircraft maintenance squadron from Homestead, Florida, is headed to Iraq Tuesday.

Sgt. Nathan is a weapons loader for F-16 fighter jets.

He said, "I'm proud to be over there because my brother was over there, so it feels kind of good to go over there."

Nathan is spending as much time as he can with his family before his unit departs for Iraq.

His mother wasn't happy he was going to the same country where her other son was killed.

"He volunteered and he didn't have to go and I told him, I can call Jim Marshall. I can call someone, so you won't have to go and he told me, Mom, you know, I'm a man and I have to do this. I need to go with my unit," said Phyllis Nathan.

Ms. Nathan is getting yellow ribbons ready to place outside her house, where they will stay, until her son comes home.

"I feel so proud of Joe. I'm still healing for him to go over there, to still protect us even though his brother was killed over there, he still wants to fulfill his mission in the military. I'm proud of him," she said.

Nathan's unit departs Tuesday for a 120-day deployment in Iraq.

<a href="http://www.13wmaz.com/article/20081231/NEWS01/81231024">Source</a>

See also:

482nd FW PA wrote:Commentary: Commander delivers holiday message

by Col. William B. Binger
482nd Fighter Wing commander

12/24/2008 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- During this holiday season, I would like to thank the dedicated Citizen Airmen of Homestead ARB for the significant sacrifices you and your families have made, and recognize you for your remarkable achievements during the year.

I am extremely proud to be your commander, and consider myself lucky to serve with such selfless Airmen.

Once again, many of you have answered your nation's call and have volunteered to deploy into harms way to fight for freedom. Countless hours of preparation have now paid off as the deployment nears. Our equipment, jets, maintenance and support personnel, pilots, logisticians and life support professionals are all ready, trained and anxious...this wing is ready!

As we celebrate this Christmas Season here at home, let's keep in mind that many of our own 482nd Fighter Wing Airmen will be deployed and will be separated from their families and friends; please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we patiently await their safe return.

Let's take this time, in the spirit of this special season, to reflect upon our good fortune and spend time with our loved ones. It is especially fitting now to give thanks that we live in this great nation, to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and thank those whose contributions defend her today.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

<a href="http://www.homestead.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123129524">Source</a>

Henrik · by **Henrik** » 01 Jan 2009, 21:01

Hi J.J.,

HAPPY NEW YEAR to You old friend!!

The "Makos" will go - as usual - with the "Spads" from the 457th FS / 301st FW in Texas.

Greetings,

Henrik.

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 03 Jan 2009, 19:56

Thanks for your helpful reply, Henrik - old buddy!

And so, it could be really that the 482nd FW will share the upcoming AEF 7/8 rotation with the 301st FW as an AFRC "Rainbow Team".

Also it looks to me that the 13th EFS could replace the 14th EFS, and probably without any aircraft changes.

And the 555th EFS from Aviano could replace the Shaw Vipers, but I'm not sure.

Just let us await further public deployment info...

On December 31, 2008, in the previous Balad topic <a href="http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-11343.html">Balad Air Base Deployment Update 2008</a> (See pages 22/23) I posted the following picture:

In the early morning of New Years Eve 2008, an F-16C block 25 from the 179th FS sits tethered to the hot cargo pad at Balad AB. The aircraft is tethered to secure it in place prior to a full afterburner engine run-up. The Minnesota Air National Guard's 179th FS carries the 332nd EFS designation while deployed to Balad in support of OIF. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

<a href="http://www.balad.afcent.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/081231-F-3188G-016.jpg">Hi-res</a>

From the Hi-res version, Boman identified the jet as 84-1215. Thanks, Boman!

And That Engine Guy posted the following helpful reply:

That_Engine_Guy wrote:Maybe the "trim-pad"?

Don't you love when the PA people don't know what they're taking photos of, then fail to ask the maintenance folks for proper terms.

Why would you "tether" an F-16 onto a "hot cargo" pad?

Just wondering...

TEG

Also thanks for your reply, TEG!

Meanwhile, 332nd AEW PA released two more related pictures of 84-1215:

SSgt. Mike Panula prepares F-16C block 25 #84-1215 from the 179th FS for a full-afterburner engine run up at Balad AB on December 31st, 2008. During the run up, mechanics stay vigilant for faulty parts and, after the run up, will fix them on the spot. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

Asif · by **Asif** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:11

Plus the following photo was released of 84-1245 on the 14th.

Personnel conduct a flight inspection on an F-16C block 25 #84-1245 from the 179th FS at Balad AB on December 14th, 2008, following a combat sortie. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

That_Engine_Guy · by **That_Engine_Guy** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:16

Hardly a "full-afterburner engine run up"... :roll:

PA strikes again!!! :slap:

Looks like about "Zone 3" (Mid-AB) :cool:

The nozzle is not open enough for "full-afterburner" and there isn't enough FIRE! :devil:

Keep 'em flyin' :thumb:

TEG

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:53

I full understand you, TEG! But sorry - without any first-hand corrections from Viper professionals like you, at least in a first step we will post edited versions (including aircraft and unit verifications) of original USAF PA captions.

That_Engine_Guy · by **That_Engine_Guy** » 03 Jan 2009, 21:19

No harm done; I'm just picking :poke:

TEG

Boman · by **Boman** » 03 Jan 2009, 22:29

J.J. wrote:And the 555th EFS from Aviano could replace the Shaw Vipers, but I'm not sure.

Doubtfull, as the 31FW is themselves are assisted by jets from the 20FW due to the current update to their own airframes. For this reason I find it unlikelly that they have enough jets to deploy - but I could offcourse be wrong?

J.J. wrote:From the Hi-res version, Boman identified the jet as 84-1215. Thanks, Boman!

Anytime my friend :thumb:

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 05 Jan 2009, 10:52

Released today on 332nd AEW's public website:

The sun sets in the background of F-16C block 25 #84-1242 from the 179th FS and assigned to the 332nd EFS as it is obscured by haze and dust at Balad AB on January 2nd, 2008. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 06 Jan 2009, 12:53

Two more news articles about the F-16 ANG "Rainbow Team" for the upcoming AEF 7/8 rotation at Joint Base Balad:

NBC Dallas-Fort Worth wrote:301st Reservists Leave Fort Worth for Iraq

Pilots and crew from the 301st Fighter Wing leave the Joint Reserve Base for Iraq.

By Mike Snyder

First Published: Jan 5, 2009 11:00 AM CST
Updated 3:33 PM CST, Mon, Jan 5, 2009

Airmen and several officers from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base's 301st Fighter Wing had a frigid send-off Monday morning as the pilots and flight crews once again left for Iraq.

In all, 94 reservists were soaked by the freezing rain that fell before dawn as they boarded their transport plane headed for Balad Air Base in Iraq.

The group will become part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. Once led by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, it is the most forward deployed fighter unit in history. They will pave the way for 350 more reservists to follow from their Fort Worth unit in the next few weeks.

This is the third hitch in Iraq for the 457th Fighter Squadron of the 301st Fighter Wing, and they will fly their Fort Worth-based F-16 fighter jets in patrols over Iraq for the next three months.

While every one of the reservists voluntarily put their civilian lives on hold, departing is still difficult for their families.

"Being able to stay in touch by phone helps relieve some of the stress of those left back home," said Col. Kevin E. Pottinger, commanding officer of the 301st Fighter Wing. "Just hearing the voice of dad or mom, even though they are in harms way over there, brings a great deal of comfort to the families."

Members of the Fort Worth Airpower Council joined commanders in the send-off line and gave the reservists phone cards to help them stay in touch with their families while they are deployed.

The group will spend a night at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida before continuing to Balad.

<a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/301st-Reservists-Leave-Fort-Worth-for-Iraq.html">Source</a> (including a photo gallery)

The Miami Herald wrote:Reservists ship out from Homestead

The Associated Press
Posted on Tuesday, 01.06.09

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- More than 150 Air Force Reservists are set to depart from Homestead Air Reserve Base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Members of the 482nd Fighter Wing will leave Tuesday as part of a larger deployment package involving more than 300 reservists. They will be joined by reservists from the 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas.

Representatives from the Air Force say many of the men and women leaving are on their second, third or fourth combat tour.

<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/839416.html">Source</a>

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 07 Jan 2009, 13:32

Yesterday, the following two additional shots were posted on <a href="http://www.dvidshub.net">DVIDS</a>:

USAF F-16C block 50 #91-0367 from the 14th FS and assigned to the 14th EFS takes off at full afterburner from Balad AB on January 2nd, 2009. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

Asif · by **Asif** » 07 Jan 2009, 13:38

Found this one today of 2 55th FS jets at Balad early January. Originally caption was incorrect as it said the jets belonged to the 179th.

The sun sets behind a pair of F-16C block 50s, #93-0550 & #93-0552 assigned to the 332nd EFS, at Balad AB on January 2nd, 2009. The jets are deployed from 55th FS. [USAF photo by TSgt. Erik Gudmundson]

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 08 Jan 2009, 05:53

At least some of the AFRC F-16Cs left Homestead ARB at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, The Miami Herald reported.

Miami Herald wrote:About 300 reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed to Iraq
BY PATRICIA MAZZEI
pmazzei@MiamiHerald.com
Families, friends and supportive neighbors bid a proud -- and sometimes tearful -- farewell to about 300 reservists who deployed to Iraq from the Homestead Air Reserve Base late Tuesday night.

They gathered and waved American flags as the troops were briefed and boarded a flight that would whisk them away from their families and jobs for up to six months.

For most of the reservists, all members of the base's 482nd Fighter Wing, it will be their second, third or fourth tour in Iraq, base spokesman Lt. Col. Tom Davis said.

''They always raise their hands and go,'' Davis said. ``We're really quite proud of our reservists.''

The unit of about 1,500 has been called up more than a dozen times since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003. Many also volunteer for deployment individually, according to Davis.

Some of the Homestead base's jets also made the trip, leaving at about 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Before the war in Iraq began, unit members were deployed to that country to patrol the no-fly zones established by the United Nations in the skies over northern and southern Iraq.

source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-d ... 41653.html

Asif · by **Asif** » 08 Jan 2009, 09:51

New picture posted of #92-3923 on the Joint Base Balad site under heading of One hot landing.

Capt. Ryan Wick, a 55th EFS pilot, lands F-16C block 50 #92-3923 at Balad AB after completing a combat sortie over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on January 2nd, 2009. Wick and the aircraft are deployed to the 55th EFS as part of the AEF 5/6 rotation from Shaw AFB. [USAF photo by A1C. Jason Epley]

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 08 Jan 2009, 14:51

Note that 92-3923 is now assigned to the 55th FS and no longer to the 77th FS!