Fighting Samurai deploys air power to OEF

Wild Weasel F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, lineup at the end of the runway and await takeoff, Aug. 13, 2012. The 14 FS members departed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Fighting Samurai deploys air power to OEF

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Raphael Baylis, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist, signals to halt an F-16 Fighting Falcon for final inspection at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2012. Wild Weasel 14th Fighter Squadron pilots and 35 AMXS maintainers departed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Fighting Samurai deploys air power to OEF

U.S. Air Force Lt Col Gene Sherer, 14th Fighter Squadron pilot, flashes the Samurai sign prior to taxing down the runway at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 13, 2012. Members of the 14 FS departed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

Fighting Samurai deploys airpower to OEF

Published Aug. 21, 2012
By 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 14th Fighter Squadron and 35th Aircraft Maintenance and Maintenance Squadrons at Misawa Air Base, Japan deployed to Southwest Asia on Aug. 13, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The deployment marks another chapter in the Fighting Samurai's support to the Central Command area of responsibility and their mission during this deployment provides support during a critical phase in the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan. Taliban forces are stepping up efforts to target civilians with extreme violence and the 14 FS and 35th AMXS and MXS are deploying to help bring this to an end.

"This deployment to the CENTCOM area is not the first for our Airmen," said Col. Sam Shaneyfelt, 35th Operations Group commander. "Misawa Airmen have been continuously downrange before this deployment and will be there after the 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 148th Fighter Wing return home."

The main focus for the 14 FS for the past six months has been the ability to deliver on-call close air support in support of International Security Assistance Force objectives. This required extensive day and night training at Misawa and a deployment to Green Flag in Nevada, where the 14 FS worked as a team with Army units and Joint Terminal Air Controllers.

"Specifically, the training was centered on urban areas, confusing target arrays and the ability to drop high-value targets in their tracks at a moment's notice," said Shaneyfelt. "Our pilots and maintainers honed our skill sets to the highest level and I'm exceedingly confident in their razor sharp capabilities."

Several F-16 fighter jets, pilots, maintainers and additional support staff from Misawa Air Base complete the aviation package necessary to help conduct the close air support mission for troops on the ground in Southwest Asia.

The 14 FS has also been busy with other projects outside of preparing for this deployment, like deploying to South Korea, assisting in Tsunami recovery, prepping for and a completing an Operational Readiness Inspection and other training exercises in the Pacific Region within the past two years.

"I'm incredibly proud of our Airmen," said Lt. Col. Gene Sherer, 14 FS commander. "We're fully prepared for this deployment and I'm confident our pilots and maintenance professionals are ready for this mission."