F-16 Fighting Falcon jets assigned to the 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire Joint National Guard Base prepare to launch, enroute to an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment to Southwest Asia.

F-16 Fighting Falcon jets assigned to the 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire Joint National Guard Base prepare to launch, enroute to an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment to Southwest Asia. The 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, is sending F-16 fighter jets, 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 169th FW is now an "Active Associate" wing. This unprecedented agreement with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB Base embeds 150 active duty Airmen with the 169th FW to forge an even stronger, more mobile force. Elements of the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing began this historic deployment two weeks ago when airmen began departing for Iraq in support of OIF. About 300 169th FW airmen have reached Iraq and await the arrival of these F-16 fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Marvin Preston, 169th FW/PA ? RELEASED)