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Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the
deployment of additional forces to support operations Enduring
Freedom, Desert Spring and possible future contingencies Dec. 24.
The additional active-duty forces in Air and Space Expeditionary
Forces 7 and 8 as well as selected forces from AEFs 9 and10 have
been tasked to deploy in a message from the secretary.
The Air Force is organized into 10 AEFs for rotational
deployment scheduling. A single AEF represents approximately six
squadrons of fighter and bomber aircraft; C-130s Hercules and
tankers; search and rescue personnel; intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance forces; and the expeditionary combat support
elements necessary to support and operate expeditionary bases.
Before
these deployments, the Air Force had nearly two full AEFs
supporting operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch and Enduring
Freedom, and operating more than 12 expeditionary operating bases.
The additional deploying forces will bring the total capability of
Air Force deployed forces to nearly that of three full AEFs. This
deployment will provide forces in the region a stronger set of
capabilities. Deploying forces will be assigned to the two air and
space expeditionary task forces currently operating in the
region.
According to Maj. Gen. Tim Peppe, special assistant to the Air
Force chief of staff for AEF matters, besides the forces drawn from
the AEFs, Air Mobility Command units and other "enabler" forces
will play a major role in this deployment and any future
operations. "Given the unique environment we are operating in
today, we expect our expeditionary combat support, such as
services, combat communications, intelligence, security forces,
civil (engineers) and others will be tasked at a level beyond three
AEFs of capability," he said.
Airmen and aircraft from the following Air Force bases have been
identified for initial deployment:
- AEF 7 and 8 including B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force
Base, S.D., and HC-130s from Moody AFB, Ga.;
- AEF 9 and 10 including F-15C Eagles from Langley AFB, Va.;
F-16s Fighting Falsons from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; HC-130s
from Moody AFB, Ga., and HH-60 Pave Hawks and Predator unmanned
aerial vehicles from Nellis AFB, Nev.
Air and space expeditionary wings and enabler
forces include F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.;
E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems from Robins
AFB, Ga.; and AC-130 Gunships, MC-130 Combat Talons and MH-53 Pave
Lows from Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Additional aircraft and people are included in the surge order,
but units have not yet been identified. Pentagon officials said
they will be notified as soon as possible. [ANN Thanks Master Sgt.
Scott Elliott, AFPN]
NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-23
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