Air Expeditionary Force deployments
may be delayed, PACAF says
By Wayne Specht, Stars and
Stripes
Pacific Air Forces troops can expect delays in upcoming Air Expeditionary Force
deployments because of the war in Afghanistan.
"As a result of the intense level of effort required to support Operations Noble
Eagle and Enduring Freedom, we have impacted our established ... deployment plans,"
Gen. William J. Begert, commander of Pacific Air Forces said Friday.
He said a large number of the command’s people and assets are currently deployed
supporting AEFs 7 and 8.
Those units include an F-16 Fighter Squadron from Misawa Air Base, Japan, and F-15s
assigned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Squadrons from those bases are now in Turkey
supporting Operation Northern Watch contingencies planned long before the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks.
Other units also have been deployed or tasked to deploy, Begert said in a release.
Under the Air Force’s Expeditionary Aerospace Force program, there are 10
Aerospace Expeditionary Forces units consisting of fighters, tankers and cargo aircraft.
The units are deployed for an average 90-day deployment every 15 months.
As the Air Force weighs its options, Begert told troops "it is imperative that we
all understand that there may be a delay in rotating our deployed forces as currently
scheduled.
"As we work our way through the plans to fight this new war on terrorism, our
planners are carefully reviewing our options for future rotations," he said.
Once those decisions have been made, Begert said troops in the field will be told as
quickly as possible.
Earlier this month, Air Force officials at the Pentagon said some AEF elements such as
tanker and airlift support aircraft may have to be taken away from established schedules
to support the war effort.
Begert asked families for their understanding in this time of increased demand on
Pacific military units.
"I fully understand the sacrifices made by the families of our deployed airmen and
I hope to deploy none of our forces more than absolutely necessary," Begert said.
"But, we all need to keep in mind that the war on terrorism will require sacrifice
from everyone in the total force ... we are one team, one family, and we will share the
burden across the Air Force."
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