144th FW Airmen return from ONE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mercedes Taylor
  • 144th Fighter Wing
FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. --  More than 200 Airmen and eight F-15C Eagle aircraft from the 144th Fighter Wing recently returned home after completing a 90-day Operation NOBLE EAGLE mission. The ONE mission is led by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which periodically tasks units to conduct training and operations at bases throughout the United States.

NORAD is a bi-national command focused on the defense of the United States and Canada. NORAD conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defense of North America. NORAD collaborates with homeland defense and law enforcement partners to prevent air attacks against North American airspaces by responding to unknown or unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within sovereign airspaces.

“These types of deployments are essential,” said Master Sgt. Robert Rodriguez, 144th Mission Support Group first sergeant. “Deployments like these allow us to put our hours of training into practice and test ourselves.”

This deployment carried through the holiday season, posing challenges for Airmen and their families.

“Being away from family and dealing with high-tempo operations can be very stressful for some and doing it during the holidays only adds to the situation,” Rodriguez said. “Time after time, I've seen our Airmen selflessly work long hours in adverse conditions to get the mission done. They do it with a positive attitude.”

The 144th FW is an Aerospace Control Alert-trained flying wing and remains flexible and ready to support homeland defense missions throughout the U.S. when required.