14 October 2024
DULUTH — About 225 airmen from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing returned early Monday, Oct. 14, from a three-month deployment to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
In total, 300 airmen and the 148th F-16 Fighting Falcons deployed to Kadena, the 148th said in a news release. Jets, cargo and small groups of personnel returned all week, but most deployed personnel returned Monday, Oct. 14.
The 148th reported to the U.S. Pacific Air Forces, the major command responsible for providing agile air, space and cyberspace capabilities to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Kadena’s strategic position makes it a vital staging location for 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft to deter regional adversaries and project U.S. airpower throughout the Indo-Pacific,” 148th Commander Col. Nathan Aysta said in a news release.
Halfway through the deployment, a small group of 148th personnel and aircraft participated alongside 28 countries during India’s largest multinational exercise, Tarang Shakti 2024. About 50 personnel and F-16s planned large force missions, problem-solved, participated in cultural events and built relationships.
“The U.S.–Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, prosperity, and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region,” the news release said. “The Department of the Air Force deploys its most advanced capabilities to the Indo-Pacific region to signify a continued commitment to (the) region’s stability and security.
The 148th flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon and has more than 1,000 airmen in 67 career fields. The 148th Bulldogs provide mission-ready Airmen and equipment tasked with state and federal assignments.
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