Pilots, jets to return to S.C. base from IraqThe Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 29, 2009 15:12:13 EST
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — Shaw Air Force Base is welcoming home members of a fighter squadron after a four-month deployment in Iraq.
Air Force officials say about a dozen pilots and their F-16CJ fighter jets were to return Thursday. The pilots and aircraft were stationed at a base in central Iraq.
The Air Force says the remaining 300 members of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron are expected to return home this weekend.
One of the primary missions of F-16 pilots is to lure the enemy into firing surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery so the jets can home in on them with their specialized radars and fire back to destroy them.
Article at:
http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_airmenreturn_sc_012909/%2e