Falcon returns after mission

Airmen of the 13th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit ground crew prepare to shut down and assist the pilot with stepping down from an F-16 Fighting Falcon after a mission Oct. 19, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Ground crews usually consist of a crew chief, who communicates with the pilot on aircraft shutdown procedures, and a fire guard who helps chalk the aircraft’s wheels and stands by with a fire extinguisher in case of a mishap. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Falcon returns after mission

Staff Sgt. Joel Loranger, 13th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, waits for Capt. Ryan Busbey, 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, to descend from the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon after a mission Oct. 19, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the U.S. and allied nations. Sergeant Loranger is a native of Boise, Idaho. Captain Busbey is a native of De Berry, Texas, and both are deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield)

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Misawa's Falcons secure skies in Iraq

Published Oct. 25, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Joint Base Balad, Iraq -- The Airmen of the 13th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 13th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit are ready to fill their role in Operation New Dawn. The 13th deployed from Misawa Air Base, Japan in early October, relieving their sister units from the 55th that returned to Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

These Airmen are to fly missions and maintain aircraft in defense of U.S. ground forces and their Iraqi allies until they're relieved or the mission in Iraq is complete.

Falcon returns after mission

Falcon returns after mission