4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, uses arm signals to communicate with a U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prior to marshalling the F-16 Fighting Falcon onto a taxiway Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prepares for takeoff while U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alec Cruz, 455 EAMXS, perform final preflight inspections on an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, review preflight checklists for an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

Reservists carry out F-16 missions in Afghanistan

Published Feb. 3, 2015
By Bryan Magaña
419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --

About 60 Air Force reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing are currently serving on a six-month deployment to Afghanistan to carry out F-16 missions.

The pilots, maintenance, and operations support personnel are assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group alongside Airmen from Hill's active-duty 388th Fighter Wing.

The deployment is part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, which aims to maintain security and stability in the area following Operation Enduring Freedom, which officially concluded in 2014.

The Airmen are due home in the spring.