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

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

RH.

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

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:

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