Members of the 115th Fighter Wing are heading to Kadena Air Base on a Theater Security Package (TSP) for Pacific Command (PACOM). The primary mission of this deployment is to “solidify our relationship with international partners and deepen ties with our allies,” according to the 176th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Jon Kalberer.

The Badgers are the first Air National Guard F-16 unit to be stationed at Kadena as a part of the Pacific Command TSP. The deployment will give the unit a tremendous opportunity to increase their combat capability while training in environments they aren’t accustomed to in Wisconsin.

While 12 Vipers and around 150 personnel will be in Japan, the remainder of the unit will remain in Madison. At home, it will be business as usual. The Wisconsin Air Guard is responsible for Aerospace Control Alert (ACA), which is a crucial mission in homeland security and defense.

ACA is a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year job, and it’s one they take very seriously. ACA commander for the 115th Fighter Wing, Lt. Col. Matthew Peltier states, “Maintaining Aerospace Control Alert mission readiness requirements during PACOM is extremely important to the 115th Fighter Wing and is a vital part of our national security.”

We’d like to extend our best wishes on a safe and successful deployment to the men and women of the Wisconsin Air Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing.

(Featured Photo: Courtesy of Jason Hyatt)