The 169th Fighter Wing: agile, reliable and mission ready

Photo By 2nd Lt. Nicole Szews | U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the South Carolina Air National Guard’s, 157th Fighter Wing refuels with the U.S Air Force KC-135 unit from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing during Relampago VII, an exercise in Barranquilla, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2022. The purpose of this exercise is to provide the Colombian Air Force with requested realistic interoperability training as allied countries, under NATO standards. South Carolina is Colombia’s State Partner in the State Partnership Program. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Nicole Szews, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)  

WEST COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

10.27.2022

Story by Capt. Lisa Allen 

169th Fighter Wing

From exercising air power in South America to conducting hurricane evacuations and deploying short notice to support a high-priority exercise, Airmen assigned to the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing are demonstrating they are agile, reliable and mission ready.
Within the last 60 days, Airmen assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing have executed three distinctly different and complex missions at the request of state and federal stakeholders.
“The agility and accessibility displayed by our Airmen to support these missions has been outstanding”, said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Akshai Gandhi, Chief of Staff – Air, Joint Forces Headquarters South Carolina. “Sometimes, tasking guard units is perceived as too hard because they are a part-time, military augmentee force. During the last 60 days, I have seen traditional air guard professionals respond to taskings within days, hours in some instances. Their flexibility and dedication to the mission and their Swamp Fox family is a credit to their leadership and the support of their families and employers.”
On Aug. 26th, after months of planning and coordination, approximately 100 Airmen and eight F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 52 fighter jets from the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing departed to Barranquilla, Colombia for a two-week international military exercise. The exercise, part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, focused on strengthening interoperability between the U.S. and Colombian air forces as allies under NATO standards.

Within ten days of returning to South Carolina, many of the same Airmen were called to their temporary flightline at nearby Columbia Metropolitan Airport, West Columbia, to conduct emergency evacuation protocols ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Ian. The South Carolina Air National Guard is operating out of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport while the main runway at McEntire Joint National Guard Base is resurfaced. Within 24 hours, nine F-16 fighter jets were successfully relocated to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan where they remained for four days until the safe to return message was received from McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

“Our Airmen routinely support exercises, the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program with the Republic of Colombia and deploy as an augmentee force when the need arises,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Quaid Quadri, 169th Fighter Wing commander. What many of them are not used to, and what this team has proven is when a short-notice tasking drops, the Airmen of the 169th Fighter Wing are available, ready, and accessible.”

As the tenth day home, and the October drill weekend approached, another short- notice request for support was received. Without hesitation and with only seven days’ notice, six aircraft and more than 60 Airmen were enroute to support a high-priority exercise in the Western U.S. The 169th Fighter Wing did not disappoint. The maintenance group achieved 100% production, resulting in all six jets flying during the final mission.

“I am not surprised by the success of our Airmen. Their professionalism, expertise and commitment to the mission is on display every day,” said Quadri.

The Airmen assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing have proven yet again they are agile, reliable and mission ready. When the nation calls, our Air National Guard is ready and accessible.

• Date Taken: 10.27.2022
• Date Posted: 10.27.2022 19:35
• Story ID: 432170
• Location: WEST COLUMBIA, SC, US