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Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2068 Status: Offline

On USAF´s public main website the following picture was released as part of the "June 18 airpower summary: F-16s perform shows of force":

Original caption:
Two Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons aircraft return to the fight after receiving fuel during a mission over Iraq. F-16s are assigned to Joint Base Balad and are deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

Note: June 10, 2008 is the date of shot. Anybody with sharp eyes who can/will identify at least the aircraft at right?

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Elite Joined: May 10, 2005 Posts: 1082 Status: Offline

Interesting....it looks like the 34th FS COs jet from the tail, but the AR # looks like 88balls6, which is nonsense.

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2068 Status: Offline

Hi, Scott! Initially, I also read the absurd 88006. But related to the "clear visible" double nought, the most plausible aircraft should be 89-2005 (421st FS). If the double nought should be an error, the jet could be either 88-0506 or 88-0509 (both also from the 421st FS). By the way, 88-0503 was already deployed for OIF to Balad AB with the 4th EFS as part of the AEF 9/10 (Cycle 6) rotation (September - December 2007).

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2068 Status: Offline

On Balad´s public website a photo essay "Just a phase" was released: http://www.balad.afnews.af.mil/news/sto ... =123103817

Only one of the seven associated pictures:

Original caption:
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Caesar Rivera and Airman 1st Class Bryan Boswell, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, test an actuator, a device used to control aircraft flaps, on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a phase inspection here, June 18. The leading edge flap, which the actuator controls, provides additional lift and drag during take off and landing. Sergeant Rivera and Airman Boswell are both deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1675

J.J. wrote:

the most plausible aircraft should be 89-2005 (421st FS).

Two F-16C block 40s take flight after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a mission over Iraq on June 10th, 2008. The F-16 is assigned to Balad AB and is deployed from Hill AFB and the KC-135 is assigned to the 340th EARS, 379th AEW.

Using photoshop on this photo in the gallery, I think I read it back as 92005.

However cannot read back the tail markings as I can only make out the 'FS' under the 'HL' markings in the above photo.

F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1675

coronet wrote:

The ANG F-16s arrived at Des Moines tonight as Trend 11 and Trend 21 flight at 1840z and 1910z.

RH.

Coronet East returns for the Iowa ANG from their AEF deployment to Iraq.

Here are the tail numbers/tail codes:
86-0294 IA 132th FW
86-0366 IA
86-0353 MT 120th FW
88-0407 IA
87-0346 WI 115th FW
87-0298 WI
86-0277 MT
86-0278 MT
87-0288 WI
86-0309 MT
86-0331 MT
86-0349 IA

Plus this great photo showing the first flight (Trend 11) air-to-air.

Six USAF F-16Cs from cell 1 of the returning Coronet East 95 flight, fly in formation as they head home from there AEF deployment at Balad AB on June 15th, 2008 with 124th FS #86-0294 flying in front of this formation.

F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1675

The TARS pod in action with the 124 FS from there recent deployment at Balad AB.

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2068 Status: Offline

Great shots taken again by Jeff Stoermer (a well-known USAF boom operator and a talented air-to-air photographer). Check his brand-new website http://aircapitalimages.com/. Thanks for sharing his stuff, Asif!

F-16.net Editor Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 1675

New article posted on this site as Former 332 AEW wing commander best in ACC.

Plus the following on the change of command from Maj. Gen. Burt Field to Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop.

Joint Base Balad, Iraq wrote:

332 AEW Airmen welcome new commander
by Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
332nd Air Expeditionary Public Affairs Office

7/4/2008 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, assumed command of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing during a change of command ceremony here, July 4.

General Bishop follows Maj. Gen. Burt Field, who will leave Joint Base Balad to become Vice Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

"I'm humbled; that's the only word I can find to describe the emotion I feel changing command today," General Field said as he addressed the Airmen of the 332 AEW one last time as their commander. "I'm humbled by your hard work, I'm humbled by your dedication and I'm humbled by your commitment. [Here] I've seen American Airmen at their finest. You are fulfilling the promise of the original Tuskegee Airmen and in you the legend continues."

Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander, presided over the ceremony where he lauded General Field for his superb leadership of the more than 8,000 Airmen assigned to the wing and everything they accomplished in the last year under his command.

"General Field is an exceptional man, leader and Airman," General North said. "The [332nd Air Expeditionary Wing] has flourished under your command. It has been my honor and pleasure to watch you lead the Red Tails."

General North also expressed his confidence in General Bishop, an Air Force Academy graduate and former commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and his ability to lead and the continue the legacy of excellence perpetuated by today's Tuskegee Airmen. General Bishop comes to Joint Base Balad from Washington D.C., where he was deputy director, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

"[General Bishop] will have the opportunity to write the next chapter in Red Tail history," General North said. "It has been an exceptional year under the leadership of General Field and it will be an exceptional year under General Bishop."

The heritage of the 332 AEW, headquartered at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, is tied to the famous 332nd Fighter Group led by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is located 42 miles north of Baghdad and consists of five co-located groups and three geographically separated groups. As the wing commander, General Bishop will be responsible for the busiest single runway operation in terms of aircraft movement in the Department of Defense. Servicemembers assigned to JBB process more than 950 cargo aircraft, 12,000 tons of cargo and 19,000 passengers in an average month.

"Today is a truly humbling day -- for me to assume command of this wing on the 4th of July, our Independence Day, in a country that's struggling for its own," General Bishop said. "Thank you General Field for turning over to me such an outstanding group of Airmen."

source: http://www.balad.afnews.af.mil/news/sto ... =123105493

USAF photos taken by MSgt. Heather Cabral.

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2068 Status: Offline

I uploaded two pictures from the photo essay called "New star in town", released today on 332nd AEW´s public website.

A1C. Thomas Sigler, 332nd EAMXS crew chief, salutes Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander, as he taxis out to the runway for his first flight at Balad AB on July 7th, 2008. General Bishop is flying USAF F-16C block 50 #94-0049 (marked 9 AF) from the 55th FS. The aircraft is deployed with the 77th EFS.

Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander, takes off for his first flight at Balad AB on July 7th, 2008. General Bishop is flying USAF F-16C block 50 #94-0049 (marked 9 AF) from the 55th FS. The aircraft is deployed with the 77th EFS.

The following related shot is availabe in the website´s photo section:

A1C. Joshua Stevenson, 332nd EAMXS weapons specialist, and A1C. Thomas Sigler, 332nd EAMXS crew chief, salute Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander, as he approaches USAF F-16C block 50 #94-0049 (marked 9 AF) from the 55th FS for his first flight as commander at Joint Base Balad on July 7th, 2008.

Elite Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1543 Status: Offline

Hello all,

Great video from the 115th FW deployment to Balad!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/henrik_the ... 659017611/

More can be found here;

http://www.115fw.ang.af.mil/photos/inde ... eryID=5933

Greetings,

Henrik.

Veteran Joined: May 26, 2008 Posts: 288 Status: Offline

J.J. wrote:

I uploaded two pictures from the photo essay called "New star in town", released today on 332nd AEW´s public website.

The following related shot is availabe in the website´s photo section:

Wow, so they're actually letting generals fly combat missions these days? Nice to see the higher-ups putting themselves in the line of fire (not that the F-16 has anything to fear from non-existent air defenses).

Also note that his Viper is carrying one AIM-120A/B and one AIM-120C.

Elite Joined: May 10, 2005 Posts: 1082 Status: Offline

Which is why, I suppose, that 2 F-16 pilots have died in combat operations from Balad.

Veteran Joined: May 26, 2008 Posts: 288 Status: Offline

AfterburnerDecalsScott wrote:

Which is why, I suppose, that 2 F-16 pilots have died in combat operations from Balad.

Because they were shot down? Didn't thinks so...

Elite Joined: May 10, 2005 Posts: 1082 Status: Offline

That matters how exactly? You are trying to make some idiotic point about it being inherently safe bombing the poor innocent Iraqis from the mean ol' F-16s thousands of feet up.....and pretty much just stepped on your peepee.....I can't wait for what comes next! (man I want the gleeful rubbing hands together smilie)

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Balad Air Base Deployment Update