HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- More than 300 airmen from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing are due to return Saturday afternoon from a deployment to Iraq's Balad Air Base.

A press release from host Hill Air Force Base noted that the group left in December. It consists of F-16 Fighting Falcons and associated pilots, maintenance and support personnel from the 421st Fighter Squadron "Black Widows."

The unit's primary mission was to maintain security and stability in the region by providing overwatch and close air support for coalition ground troops.

During the mission, the 421st flew about 1,700 combat missions.

The airmen were deployed as part of a four-month Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation. It is a cross-section of air and space capabilities that can be tailored to meet combatant commanders' needs.

Reserve and active duty airmen of HAFB's 34th Fighter Squadron "Rams" replaced the 421st Fighter Squadron in southwest Asia early this month.

On Saturday, the group is due to arrive via transporter aircraft near the 419th Fighter Wing and 388th Fighter Wing aircraft maintenance hangars where families will gather to welcome loved ones home.



tbusselberg@davisclipper.com