F-16 Fighting Falcon News

May 23, 2007 (by Asif Shamim) - Air National Guard F-16s from the 112th & 125th Fighter squadrons are on route to Iraq. Jets departed from Toledo Airport Wednesday heading for a brief stop over in Europe before reaching there destination.
This is the first time F-16s from Toledo & Tulsa will have been based in Iraq. The Wing will fly surveillance and support missions to assist ground troops. Around 300 airman from the 112th FS have already deployed to support the arriving jets. Personel from the 125th FS will replace the crew from the 112th FS in the coming months, but the aircraft will remain for both squadrons deployments. The 125th FS will bring the aircraft back home.

Eight F-16s departed at 5 a.m. Six more jets are due to fly out tomorrow. Two of the jets are slated to return acting as flying spares in case issues arise during the first leg of the mission.

"[The launch of the airplanes is] our grand finale when we have a deployment like this," said Lt. Colonel Carole Allen, of the 180th. "We've sent ahead all of the equipment that's needed to support the aircraft and the people who will maintain the aircraft and launch them to do their missions, as well as to take care of the people who are deployed."

The 180th had a official send-off ceremony about a month ago in which families & friends bid them a farewell. Official representation from Marcy Kaptur and Paul Gillmor, along with State Senator Teresa Fedor all delivered messages of pride and support.

The wing previously deployed to the Mid-East in 2005 as part of OIF. In 1996, 1998, and 1999 the 180th Fighter Wing enforced the Northern no-fly zone over Iraq in Operations Provide Comfort and Operation Northern Watch.