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Kadena fighters to support Operation Southern Watch

Released: Jun 1, 1998

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Nearly 300 Kadena people and several F-15 aircraft deployed May 26 to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

People deployed came from a variety of 18th Air Base Wing units, including many members from the 44th Fighter Squadron.

This is the second time a Kadena squadron has deployed to the Arabian Peninsula. In October 1996, the 67th Fighter Squadron, along with maintenance and support people, deployed there for three months. This latest deployment is expected to last 45 days.

"The 44th Fighter Squadron just came off a five-week TDY (temporary duty) from Alaska and Nevada for training," said Master Sgt. Larry Walp, 44th FS first sergeant.

Different Kadena support agencies provided four separate briefings to family members being left behind.

"They briefed about all the services available while their spouses are TDY. There is somebody here to turn to for almost every situation that can possibly happen, from auto care classes to financial management," Walp said.

As for the flying mission, 44th F-15 fighter pilots will enforce a no-fly zone south of 33 degrees north, which was established Sept. 3, 1993, to increase the buffer zone between Iraq and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Coalition forces in the area are tasked to respond appropriately to substantiated violations of the no-fly zone. Coalition partners include France, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. Operations are conducted from numerous operating locations in the Arabian Gulf region.

Since Southern Watch's beginning in 1992, the operation has flown nearly 181,000 sorties, with the U.S. Air Force flying more than 125,000 sorties, the U.S. Navy flying more than 38,000 sorties and coalition forces flying more than 18,000 sorties, according to Pentagon officials. On an average, about 100 sorties are flown a day.

Operation Southern Watch continues because of Iraq's continued hostility. The operation is containing Iraq's threatening behavior and maintaining the safety and security of the region. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)