Gunfighters return from deployment in Pacific

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rodney D. Ivey
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  After a four-month deployment to the Pacific, approximately 300 pilots, weapons system officers, aircraft maintenance specialists and support personnel returned home to Mountain Home AFB Oct. 6.

Elements of the 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Maintenance Group, 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 366th Component Maintenance Squadron, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and 366th Maintenance Operations Squadron deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, in late May 2008 as part of a scheduled rotation of Air Force units into the region.

The rotational presence of Air Force airpower at Andersen AFB started more than three years ago as U.S. Pacific Command adjusted its force posture to maintain a prudent deterrent capability. This presence is aimed at enhancing regional security, demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific and providing integrated training opportunities.

The rotation of U.S. forces also enhances operational access to train forward-deployed and forward-based combat forces while increasing interoperability with partner nations, according to PACOM officials.

Meanwhile, Mountain Home AFB has hundreds of additional Airmen currently deployed in support of operations in southwest Asia. A group of about 120 Airmen departed the base Aug. 25 to provide munitions support to aircraft in the theater. Another 400 aircraft maintainers and support personnel, along with pilots and weapon systems officers with the 391st FS, left the base Aug. 31. These Airmen are expected to remain in the region for approximately four months as part of a scheduled deployment rotation.

Airmen on these two deployments were part of nearly 1,400 Gunfighters from Mountain Home AFB who deployed in support of Air Force operations around the world this year, said Capt. Lucas Choate, 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer.