14th EFS is half way through deployment, in a groove

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  • By Lt. Col. Charles Toplikar
  • Lt. Col. Charles Toplikar
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  We are halfway through our deployment! Time here continues to fly by. We are definitely in a groove. We are intently refocusing on our processes and procedures since this is the time of greatest complacency.

It has been a pretty slow week for weapons employment, although we have done many shows of force in support of the ground force operations throughout Baghdad and the Aburdeen Shiite Pilgrimage between Iskandaria and Karbala. We always get great feedback from the Army when we do these low passes, and it is very rewarding to know that we are so effective in quelling violence by just being there.

There has been a notable shift in strategic policy here in Iraq. The coalition ground forces are aggressively regaining control of insurgent hot spots such as Baghdad and Baqubah. The difference now is that they are using the surge forces to maintain a continued presence in those areas.

The results are positive. The number of attacks on civilians in Baghdad has plummeted; Iraqi citizens are providing more tips and assistance to the coalition as they become more secure; and an increased numbers of weapons caches are being found and seized.

I believe we are truly part of a pivotal juncture in this theater, and so far, it is going our way. 

Finally, I want to congratulate Maj. Doug Kline, from the 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron operations flight and Master Sgt. Jeffrey Stevens from the 35th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, on their selection for promotion to the next grade.