Photo By Master Sgt. Patrick Kerr | Col. John Patterson, Commander, stands in front of the newly designated, 183d Wing....... read more read more
The 183d Wing officially welcomed home Airmen after a series of deployments to the Middle East ending in January, 2017. The ceremony was held at the Air National Guard base at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Mar. 4, 2017. Approximately 80 members of the unit’s Air Operations Group deployed to the Middle East. The ceremony also marked the unit’s official change in name from the “183d Fighter Wing,” to the “183d Wing.” The name change followed the unit’s transition from a fighter unit to the next echelon in military aviation, which includes major engine repair and command and control of air operations.
The returning airmen were the first to perform the unit’s new command and control mission in combat. Col. John Patterson, Commander, 183d Wing, recognized their contributions to Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The ceremony also recognized members who had returned home from the Middle East in 2016, supporting missions in security, civil engineering and major communications installation projects. Approximately 170 members have served in United States Central Command areas of operation over the past two years.
“We have just proven ourselves in the most challenging and complex environment any airmen will ever face. The training, preparation, and commitment to excel at our mission were evident in the performance of duty by these outstanding Illinois Air National Guardsmen and women supporting Operation Inherent Resolve,” said Patterson.
“The 183d Wing has aggressively taken on their new missions. Our state-of-the-art engine repair facility is earning a reputation for excellence across the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” community. We have expanded our expertise to the A-10 “Thunderbolt II” engine and very soon, we may see the U-2 “Dragon Lady” engine come to Springfield. We’re absolutely hitting our stride in the next level of major engine repair. Together with our command and control and support missions, this unit is rising up to be a premier unit in the Air National Guard.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2017 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 226056 |
| Location: | SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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