Operation Iraqi Freedom

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conduct close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon conducts close air support operations over Iraq on Feb. 17, 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)Released

Deployed Misawa Airman

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Senior Airman Daniel Garcia of Tucson, Ariz., replaces a gear box on an up-armored humvee here Oct. 12. Airman Garcia is deployed from the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, whose mission is to provide close air support, mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of the Global War On Terror.

Deployed reenlistment

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Lt. Col. Stephen Williams (right), 13th Fighter Squadron commander, performs a reenlistment ceremony for Staff Sgt. Willie Gilbert (left), 13th FS information manager, Aug. 15. Both are deployed to the 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Balad Air Base. Sergeant Gilbert, who has been in the Air Force for more than nine years, reenlisted for five more years. This is his second tour in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Misawa Airmen prepare for downrange missions

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Capt. "Cuda" Wolfard, 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron plans officer, sets the laser code to his GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs on his 41st mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Captain Wolfard's spouse, Capt. Krystal Wolfard, is also serving in OIF as a multinational corps as an Iraq Intelligence officer deployed to Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Fuel King

Senior Airman Justin Neal, deployed from the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is is presented with a coin for excellence from Lt. Col. Robert Hoff, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. Airman Neal recieved the coin for breaking the record for most fuel pumped in one month at his deployed location in Southwest Asia. He pumped 2.1 million gallons of fuel. In recognition of his efforts, a 2.1 million gallon fuel tank was named "Tank Neal."

Misawa Airmen take a bite out of the deployed mission

SOUTHWEST ASIA --Tech. Sgt. John Mascolo holds back his K-9 partner Diego, who is eager to run the obedience course at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic. Sergeant Mascolo and Diego are assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and are deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan's, 35th Security Forces Squadron's K-9 unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Les Waters)

Misawa team speak about deployment

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyz Republic -- Staff Sgt. Manuel Garcia and Jimmy, his K-9 partner, pose for a photo before running the obedience course here recently. The 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron team is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan's, 35th Security Forces Squadron's K-9 unit. To learn more about Sergeant Garcia and Jimmy's mission there, click on the related link and listen to the radio interview with Detachment 12, American Forces Network Mass Communication Petty Officer 1st Class James Stilipec. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Les Waters)

Weapons system inspection

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class David Lewis examines an F-16 Fighting Falcon triple ejector rack during a routine inspection of weapon systems in the armament shop at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Lewis, an armament technician assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Olufemi A. Owolabi)

Deployed Misawa Airman process goods

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Tech. Sgt. Lesha Stanley, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, uses a forklift to reposition a pallet of goods to be processed. Sergeant Stanley is deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Misawa Airmen head downrange

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa Airmen board a chartered jet which will fly them to Iraq for their Air Expeditionary Force 7/8 deployment this month. Most of the Airmen deploying are from the 13th Fighter Squadron who are replacing Misawa's 14th Fighter Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq, this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura McFarlane)

Misawa F-16 supports GWOT over Iraqi skies

070216 -- BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- A Misawa Wild Weasel F-16 takes off from Balad Air Base Feb. 16. Airmen have recently experienced a surge in flight operations due to a greater air support need for the increased amount of U.S. Army forces on the ground in Iraq. The 14th Fighter Squadron deployed from Misawa to Balad in January and is the first Block 50 F-16 squadron deployed to Iraq. The 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is the third fighter squadron to stand up at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing to help increase the capability of the wing's mission. The Block 50 system provides newer technology to the wing's arsenal. Its helmet-mounted queuing system increases pilot awareness and allows pilots to quickly get weapons on target. It also includes an improved data link that provides awareness on the entire air picture. The 14th EFS and 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit is comprised of roughly 250 Airmen and gives the wing the ability to fulfill more requests for air support. (U. S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

Preflight checks

01-29-2007 -- BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Skyler Mims, 14th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, looks over the F-16 and while communicating with Capt. Wiilliam "shogun" Lutmer, 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, to perform pre flight checks before launching his Block 50 F-16 on a combat mission from here Jan. 29. Airman Mims is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U. S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

Misawa Airmen prepare for mission

01/29/2007 -- BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Capt. William "Shogun" Lutmer, deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here as part of the 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron climbs into his Block 50 F-16 while his Crew Chief Senior Airman Skylar Mims, 14th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepares to assist him before departing on a combat mission over Iraq Jan. 29. The 14th Fighter Squadron is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan, and is the first Block 50 F-16 squadron deployed to Iraq (U. S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

CENTAF Airpower Summary

F-16 Fighting Falcons, like this fighter assigned to the 332 Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq, fly combat missions daily in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The F-16, a compact, multi-role fighter, is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground surface attack. (U. S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Holzworth)

Buckle up

F-16 Fighting Falcons are prepared for takeoff Jan. 29 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The 14th Fighter Squadron is deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan, to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB. (U. S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)