HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- This week, Active duty and Reserve Airmen from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings here returned from a 5-month deployment to the Pacific region.
Hundreds of pilots, maintainers and support personnel deployed the F-35A Lightning II to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.
"The mission of Hill's fighter wings is vitally important. When major events happen, we're going to get the call to deploy the F-35. They were there to work alongside our partners and allies in the Pacific region to assure them, and deter any potential threats to stability," said Col. James Buessing 388th Fighter Wing deputy commander. "It's great to see them home. We're happy to have them back and everyone who has been deployed knows what that feeling is like."
The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. It is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g-capable multi-role fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. Continuing rotations of aircraft at Kadena also ensures the 18th Wing remains postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower in support of shared U.S. and allied interests.