The 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, recently completed a deployment to Kadena Air Base in Japan, where they were known as the 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The deployment allowed for integration and training with other fighters from across the globe, enhancing interoperability and serving as a powerful deterrent in the Indo-Pacific region.
During their time at Kadena Air Base, the Airmen worked alongside their 18th Wing counterparts, performing job-specific skills and participating in large-scale flying exercises. They also flew with other deployed units to enhance interoperability between platforms and units.
Maintenance organizations from the 148th integrated with their 18th Wing counterparts, ensuring day-to-day flying and maintenance operations ran smoothly and efficiently. The deployment provided valuable opportunities for pilots to train alongside different airframes and build partnerships with other countries.
Additionally, a subset of 148th personnel and aircraft participated in India’s Tarang Shakti 24 exercise, further enhancing security, interoperability, and collaboration with multinational partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Overall, the deployment of the 148th Fighter Wing to Kadena Air Base played a crucial role in enhancing readiness and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, showcasing the importance of strategic locations like Kadena Air Base in supporting shared missions and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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Photo credit www.nationalguard.mil