14th EFS flies 'show of force' missions

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Charles Toplikar
  • 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq - --  We increased our uniform posture to U2 this week. U2 entails wearing our individual body armor and helmet anytime we are outdoors. That extra 35 pounds of gear can certainly help burn off those extra care package treats we have been enjoying from home.

Our aircraft flew several "show of force" passes in support of the ground forces. During a show of force, we fly low and fast over the top of the enemy or crowd of people, sometimes dispensing flares. You can imagine that an F-16 passing very close overhead at 550 miles per hour gets people's attention. Usually the crowd disperses very quickly or the insurgents retreat.

Some of you may have seen the story about Flat Stanley riding in an F-16 during a combat mission. Flat Stanley is a cardboard man that travels the world, in this case for a third grade class of Stephens Elementary, Burlington, Ky., who sent him here to Capt. Jackie Grant, 35th Operations Support Squadron. Hopefully we will not get into trouble for exposing a civilian to the dangers of combat.