Wing begins new chapter with F-15E(Strike Eagles deploy to Afghanistan)

Air Force Link ^ | 1/17/2007 | Capt. Vince King Jr.

[Spruce]

Wing begins new chapter with F-15E

1/17/2007 -  BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFNEWS)  -- Continuing to show a strong force and a visible presence in Afghanistan, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory Jan. 14.

With more than 200 Airmen supporting its mission, the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, put wheels down, and started a new chapter in the wing's history.

Commending the hard work and effort put forth to get the squadron here, Master Sgt. John Murdorf, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-15E pro-superintendent, said the work performed by Airmen within the wing was astronomical.

He said, "We had requirements that other aircraft don't have ... and the agencies here were eager to help and get the ball rolling to bring the Strike Eagle in here safely."

Col. John Quintas, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, during his assumption of command Jan. 14 said, "Today begins another exciting chapter in the (wing's) history, with the addition of the F-15E Strike Eagle to the (wing's) combat assets."

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

The 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron will support various military operations throughout Afghanistan to include the continuing support of U.S. and coalition ground troops.

[Spruce]

Some more pressure on Iran.

391st Fighter Squadron

[maquiladora]

Iran ping

[Dog]

Another piece is added.

[Dog]

Beat me to the ping by 20 seconds....

[maquiladora]

Very interesting....

Combine this with this news that F-16's, tankers and AWACS aircraft have been flown into Incirlik in Turkey for the first time since the Iraq war...

2 aircraft carrier groups....

Royal Navy minesweepers sent the Gulf...

Patriot units going to the Gulf states...

Two Marine Expeditionary Units...

[Cap Huff]

It does seem that a lot is falling in line in a quick, but orderly fashion.

[Mariner]

18 more attack aircraft to Afganistan is not a major increase.

When we hear of entire fighter WINGS being deployed...which may happen after the carriers are on station...then we'll know the time is close.

[maquiladora]

Things are happening even faster than I imagined.

I've also just noticed this.

The 728th Air Control Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base is being deployed to Iraq.

"The mission of the 728th is to provide aerospace battle management for joint/combined operations wherever and whenever in the world we're needed."

May or may not be related.

[maquiladora]

I'm not sure how easy it would be to politically justify the deployment of an entire wing while at the same time stating that there are no plans to attack Iran...

Incremental trickle deployments like this don't make major headlines and slip under the radar.

[Spruce]

There is this also:

U.S. F-22 fighters headed for Kadena

[Spruce]

18 more attack aircraft to Afganistan is not a major increase.

I agree. EXCEPT, 18 F-15E Strike Eagles is a serious can of whoop ass.

[maquiladora]

Yes I noticed that too. Plus a squadron of F-117s from the 49th Fighter Wing are being deployed to South Korea.

I think it might be a signal to Kim, that if things kick off in Iran, we still have the capability to hit him if we need to.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

You don't suppose President Bush and the military leaders are planning this just in case North Korea starts some crap when we go in and deal with Iran ?

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Didn't they send 3 carriers groups to that area of the Pacific last year ?

[Tarpon]

Boxed in and the oil price is falling. The squeeze is on.

[maquiladora]

I might be wrong, but I think that was in 2003.

[Rummyfan]

Quite a buildup. I wonder what's in the offing.......

[Prophet in the wilderness]

I meant,,, there was even pictures here on FR of 3 carrier groups going to the Pacific, during Kim Gone Ills hissy fits.

[Shimmer128]

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