123rd Fighter Squadron UAE Deployment

by Staff Sgt. Aaron Perkins
142d Fighter Wing

11/6/2010 - Portland Air National Guard Base, PORTLAND, Ore.  -- Six F-15's from the 142nd Fighter Wing Portland Oregon Air National Guard Base deployed October 2, 2010 for a month long deployment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support the training exercise called Iron Falcon.

Airmen of the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing prepare six F-15 Eagles to depart for a 30-day overseas training tour in support of Exercise IRON FALCON to the United Arab Emirates Air Warfare Center on October 2, 2010. Along with the six jets, 131 members of the Oregon Air National Guard also deployed to the UAE in support of Exercise IRON FALCON . (U.S. Air Force Photograph by Staff Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office)

The month long training deployment will be provide weapons training for a number of 142nd FW pilots as well as good training for the aircraft maintainers. The will be able to train alongside a number of partner nations with multiple aircraft that have never been engaged before.

The deployed aircraft will fly from Portland to Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, then to Spain then on to the UAE.

The 142nd FW will be attached to the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing and will be staying at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
 

Four U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the 142nd Fighter Wing prepare for take on on October 2, 2010 for a 30-day overseas training tour in support of Exercise IRON FALCON to the United Arab Emirates Air Warfare Center. A total of Six jets and 131 members of the Oregon Air National Guard deployed to the UAE in support of Exercise IRON FALCON. (U.S. Air Force Photograph by Staff Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Public Affairs)

Oregon Air National Guard Major Adam Sitler goes through the pre-flight check of his F-15C Eagle prior to take off on October 2nd, 2010 at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. (US Air Force photography by Staff Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

An Oregon Air National Guard F-15C Eagle takes off from the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore., on October 2nd, 2010. (US Air Force photographby Staff Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

An Oregon National Guard Airman from the 142nd Fighter Wing marshals several F-15C Eagles at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore., on October 2nd, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)