169th Fighter Wing at Joint Base Balad, Iraq [Image 10 of 20]

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

06.20.2010

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson  

169th Fighter Wing

Staff Sgt. Christopher Mitchell, a crew chief with the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., prepares to launch an F-16 Fighting Falcon flown by Capt. Michael "Meat" Willhide, a fighter pilot with the 157th Fighter Squadron at McEntire, for a mission from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, June 20. The 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire sent F-16's, pilots, maintenance specialists and support personnel overseas for its first major combat operation since 2003, when the unit deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew more than 400 combat missions. The 169 FW is now an "Active Associate" wing. This unique agreement with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB embeds 150 active duty Airmen with the 169 FW at McEntire to forge an even stronger, more mobile force. Elements of the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169 FW began this historic deployment in early May 2010 when airmen landed at JBB in support of OIF.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2010
• Date Posted: 07.08.2010 07:38
• Photo ID: 297277
• VIRIN: 100620-F-9119C-022
• Resolution: 1200x1800
• Size: 1.19 MB
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ