UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Vermont Air National Guard arrived here Saturday to join the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Accompanying the aircraft were 300 Air National Guard Airmen, deployed from the 158th Fighter Wing, who will comprise the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which will fly strike missions against ISIL as part of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group.
"We are excited to generate, execute, and sustain decisive combat airpower through this expeditionary fighter squadron," said. Col. David C. Lyons, 407th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "The capability these total force Airmen provide through the use of precision airstrikes will aid in denying ISIL safe haven and provide ground forces in Iraq and Syria the opportunity to conduct localized counter attacks."
The squadron will accompany Coalition partners flying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve at the deployed location. To date, about 60 regional and international nations have joined together to counter ISIL's campaign in Iraq and Syria
"ISIL continues to pose a threat to the international community, but the men and women of the 407th AEG, together with our Joint and Coalition partners, are working hard to defeat and destroy (ISIL)," Lyons said.