‘Shooters’ deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Airmen assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and supporting units, deployed to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In the past, the squadron has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and many others in its time as a functioning fighter squadron.

“Our Shooters are on their way to an incredibly important fight, to ensure that people that seek to do our nation and our allies harm, never get that opportunity,” said Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing commander. “I know our Airmen are capable of executing any task that is thrown their way — not only because they are well trained, but because of the constant support they get at home from their families, friends, and the community. While our Airmen are taking the fight to the enemy, we’ve got to double our efforts to take care of their families.”

Deploying with the Air Force’s premier suppression of enemy air defenses aircraft, the F-16CM Fighting Falcon, the units are putting mission success in their crosshairs.

Before the Airmen are allowed to deploy they must go through a processing line at the Chandler Deployment Processing Center.

In the line, deployers receive paperwork and speak with agencies, such as the 20th Comptroller Squadron finance office, 20th Fighter Wing chaplains and the 20th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center.

After Airmen completed the line, they received briefings about the conditions of their deployed location and the services offered to their families remaining stateside.

Following these briefings, Airmen disembarked in groups to an aircraft and prepared for the mission downrange.

“I am excited to finally go on my first deployment,” said Airman 1st Class Yuri Morin, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief. “Everyone ahead of me, and those below me, have helped guide me and get me ready to accomplish the mission downrange.”

With mission success in their view, the 55th FS will utilize their training to execute the tasks at hand and showcase the lethality of the 20th Fighter Wing.