March 31, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
The Bahrain government has agreed to allow a US Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) to extend its deployment in the emirate for another 60 days in view of the uncertainty over Iraq's intentions regarding UN arms inspections.
The US Air Force's 347th Air Expeditionary Wing was deployed last November when the USA began building up its forces in the Gulf region during the standoff between Iraq and the UN on arms inspections. The wing includes: 12 F-16CGs, six F-16CJs, two B-1Bs, and four KC-135sfrom the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) from Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho.
The US Department of Defense said that the wing will be replaced by another AEF comprising: 12 F-15Cs, 12 F-15Es, 12 F-16CJs, three B-1Bs and four KC-135s. Some elements of the new AEF have arrived in Bahrain.
