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Released: February 6, 1998

EF-111s make final deployment to SWA

by 1st Lt Bernadette Dozier
27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Members of the 429th Electronic Combat Squadron deployed for the 32nd and final time to Southwest Asia recently.

The 429th ECS flies the EF-111A Raven, which is the Air Force's only tactical jamming platform and is the longest running single support unit for the Operation Southern Watch mission.

As part of the 4404th Wing (Provisional) in Southwest Asia, the deployed Ravens provide tactical electronic jamming support to coalition forces enforcing the No-fly Zone over Southern Iraq.

For the Ravens, who have patrolled these skies since the early nineties, this last rotation is a significant, yet bittersweet milestone.

"It's difficult to describe the feelings associated with this last rotation," said Lt. Col. Allen Wickman, 429th ECS commander. "In many ways it's business as usual for the 429th, but in a larger sense, it really brings home the idea that we're on our way out. The squadron is only 140 days away from closure!"

"I take great pride in participating in this last deployment," said Chief Master Sgt. Greg Weigl, 429th ECS maintenance superintendent, who has worked on the F-111 and EF-111A for more than 20 years. "Our sustained success is directly attributable to the competence, perseverance, and strength of the maintainers. It is their continued steadfast support of this mission that has marked it with such accomplishment."

The EF-111A has been in Southwest Asia since August 1990 - with more than 2,700 days to date in the area of responsibility.

The squadron itself has been in Southwest Asia continuously since October 1993. However, it was as the 430th ECS that the Ravens supported Cannon's first EF-111 deployment in June 1993. The 429th ECS then relocated from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and reactivated at Cannon. In October 1993, the 430th ECS was redesignated the 429th ECS, said Royal Air Force Wing Cmdr. Anker Brodersen, the 429th ECS senior maintenance officer.

Since the Ravens began supporting Operation Southern Watch, they have flown more than 3,350 sorties and have accumulated more than 9,700 flying hours, said Brodersen.

By June, the Air Force will have retired all EF-111A aircraft from its inventory. The EF-111A retirement ceremony is May 2, and the squadron inactivation ceremony June 19. The Navy's EA-6B Prowler will assume the Ravens' mission.

"I will personally miss this great aircraft in all its configurations. The best of which is the EF. With such a unique mission, it has provided me opportunities and challenges I would never have had the pleasure to face," Weigl said.

"The end of the Ravens era has been a long time coming," said Wickman. "Our fellow warfighters in Southwest Asia are not pleased with our departure. They understand the unique capabilities of the EF-111A and want us at their side when and if the shooting starts - that feeling really instills a sense of pride in the members of the unit."

Over the last 31 rotations to Southwest Asia, as well as deployments in support of Operations Provide Comfort, Northern Watch and Deny Flight, other members of "America's Go-To Wing" have accompanied the Ravens.

"I'm extremely proud of all the people who have been a part of our deployments for the past four years. The Ravens have been deployed a long time, but we certainly haven't done it alone," said Wickman.

"There have been several other members of other wing units that have been there with us and haven't received the recognition they deserve. To them I extend my thanks on behalf of all the Ravens. We've been proud to serve on the team with you."