MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C., - The 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard will deploy 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 is now an active associate wing. This unprecedented agreement with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base embeds 150 active duty Airmen with the 169th to forge an even stronger, more mobile force, Guard officials said.
Elements of the South Carolina Air Guard's wing began this historic deployment two weeks ago, when airmen began departing for Iraq.
"This is a historic deployment, the first time the South Carolina Air National Guard has deployed as an active-associate unit," said Lt. Col. Les Carroll, executive officer for 169th. "We can support a four-month deployment with full combat capability, which demonstrates and further validates the Air Guard's contribution to the U.S. mission in Iraq."
About 300 Airmen have reached Iraq and await the arrival of the unit's F-16 fighters, which left McEntire earlier today.