Australian, U.S. Airmen conduct joint flying operations

U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS), California Air National Guard, step to their F-15C Eagles during Exercise Diamond Storm at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, May 13, 2019. The 194th EFS helped RAAF Airmen complete an Air Warfare Instructor Course that also went through Exercise Diamond Shield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)

Australian, U.S. Airmen conduct joint flying operations

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard, takes off while a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet taxis during Exercise Diamond Storm at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory, May 10, 2019. Both aircraft completed bilateral flying operations together to enhance air cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)

Australian, U.S. Airmen conduct joint flying operations

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard, takes off during Exercise Diamond Storm at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, May 9, 2019. Exercises and training opportunities like Diamond Storm help the U.S. build stronger a relationship and enhance interoperability with its Australian ally. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards)

144th FW Deploys to Pacific in Support of TSP

Published April 5, 2019
By Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Drudge
144th Fighter Wing

FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. -- More than 225 Airmen and a dozen F-15C Eagle fighter jets from California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing and Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, as the 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in support of the U.S. Pacific Command Theater Security Package March 11, 2019.

Members of the wing put in long days right up to the day of departure. Maintenance personnel maintained the operations tempo while packing everything they would require to support the Eagles overseas. The Logistics Readiness Squadron had shipped out 17 semi-truck trailers with over 181 short tons of cargo to Travis Air Force Base in preparation for the TSP.

For the duration of the 90-day deployment, the 144th FW will conduct training alongside our Pacific allies and partners to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the region as a whole.

The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys fighter aircraft and personnel to the current region to provide U.S. Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces with Theater Security Packages, which help maintain a deterrent against threats to regional security and stability.

“The 144th FW’s participation in this TSP deployment and combined training with our allies and partners demonstrate that we share a commitment to promoting a peaceful and stable region,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Kelly, 144th FW commander. “I am proud of our hardworking Citizen Airmen, who continue to support National Security here at home, and those abroad who are supporting our allies and partner nations.”

Movement of U.S. Air Force TSPs into the region has been a routine and integral part of U.S. PACOM’s force posture since March 2004.

For the 144th FW, the last TSP movement was in July of 2016 when the wing deployed to the Eastern European region of Bulgaria and Romania.

These theater security packages demonstrate the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.