Approximately 200 Airmen and 12 F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Madison, Wisconsin-based 176th Fighter Squadron, of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, are set to deploy to Kunsan Air Base, Korea for a four-month rotation. The aircraft and personnel are scheduled to arrive at Kunsan this month.

Pacific Air Forces Theater Security Package deployments to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region signify a continued commitment to regional stability and security, while allowing units to train in the Pacific theater. F-16s routinely deploy throughout the U.S. Pacific Command (U.S. PACOM) area of responsibility.

The F-16 deployment to Kunsan is in support of U.S. PACOM’s security obligations in the Western Pacific, and the deployed unit will perform training under the direction of the 8th Fighter Wing out of Kunsan Air Base.

The United States routinely evaluates readiness and repositions forces as needed to ensure capabilities necessary to meet obligations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. These deployments demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to fulfill security responsibilities throughout the Western Pacific and to maintain peace in the region.

The Wisconsin National Guard continues to play an active role in global security operations as the nation’s primary combat reserve. Approximately 110 Airmen from the 128th Air Control Squadron deployed to Southwest Asia in May, while approximately 150 Soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation deployed to Kuwait and another 35 Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation deployed to Afghanistan. More than 9,000 Soldiers and Airmen stand ready to assist with state emergencies as Wisconsin’s first military responders.

The Wisconsin National Guard is planning a sendoff ceremony for the deploying Airmen of the 115th Fighter Wing. The ceremony will not be open to the public, but further details on the unit’s sendoff and its deployment will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the 115th Fighter Wing Theater Security Package deployment, contact the Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Office at 808-448-3209 or pacaf.paops@us.af.mil.

Tech. Sgt. Kamaile Casillas, from Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs contributed to this report.