Line of duty

Airmen from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings walk toward the plane that will take them to the Asia-Pacific region for a 180-day joint deployment. Nearly 200 reserve and active duty pilots, maintainers and support personnel from the two wings will provide F-16 air support in the region as part of a routine theater security package rotation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

On the record

Maj. David DeAngelis, 419th Fighter Wing pilot, shows a picture of his son to a local reporter before joining his comrades on a plane headed for the Asia-Pacific region Sept. 23. Nearly 200 Airmen deployed for 180 days, including about 75 reservists from the 419th FW. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bryan Magaña)

Reserve, active duty join forces for Asia-Pacific deployment

Published Sept. 23, 2011
By Public Affairs staff

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Nearly 200 personnel from the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings departed Sept. 23 for a 180-day joint deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.

The pilots, maintainers and support personnel will provide F-16 air support in the region as part of a routine theater security package rotation.

Hill's reservists are fulfilling key leadership roles for the first 60 days and will have operational oversight during that time.

"About 75 of our Citizen Airmen raised their hands to volunteer for this deployment, and we look forward to carrying out this mission," said Col. Keith Knudson, 419th FW commander. "We greatly appreciate the support of their civilian employers in the community who will undoubtedly make sacrifices during their absence."

This will be the fifth deployment for Maj. David DeAngelis, 419th pilot, who is leaving behind his wife and 16-month-old son.

"We're happy to do whatever our country needs us to do," DeAngelis said.

DeAngelis, who works fulltime as a civilian in Hill's F-16 software division, also praised coworkers at his civilian job for picking up his duties while he is away.

"As reservists, our civilian employers and our coworkers have to pick up the slack while we're away," DeAngelis said.

This deployment marks the first for Senior Airmen Kenneth Peterson of the wing's aircraft maintenance squadron who said he's honored to have the chance to serve his country.

"My father also served and it means a lot to me to have this opportunity," Peterson said.

Hill's two fighter wings have been deploying side by side since July 2007 when the units began flying and maintaining a fleet of F-16 aircraft as part of an initiative dubbed Total Force Integration. TFI seeks to enhance combat capability by capitalizing on the unique strengths of the active duty and reserve components.

Stay connected -- Join the 419th on Facebook and YouTube