Gunfighters return from deployments

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Neil Samson
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  More than 400 Gunfighters returned home Jan. 19 and 20 from their deployments in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command.

More than 100 members of the 726th ACS returned to Mountain Home Jan. 19 from Southwest Asia where they were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The next day, 300 members from the 389th Fighter Squadron "Thunderbolts" and 389th Aircraft Maintenance Unit returned from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, as part of a rotational deployment in support of U.S. Government and Department of Defense global engagement strategies.

The 726th ACS is one of five active duty Ground Theater Air Control Squadrons worldwide. Their mission is to rapidly detect, identify, command, and control airborne targets with minimal to no support.

"Our main focus was supporting personnel on the ground and we did it very, very well," said Lt. Col. Bryan Gates, 726th ACS commander. "We led the way. We were the first tactical command and control reach-back. We operated from thousands of miles from Afghanistan but still controlled the mission. I can't say enough about them and how proud I am of them."

As the 726th ACS weapons director, Staff Sgt. Erik Kalanquin safely controlled military tactical aircraft operating in the airspace. He and his unit also coordinated with other agencies and kept military aircraft safely de-conflicted in the airspace from military and civil air traffic.

"It was busy in the deployed area," said Sergeant Kalanquin. "I'm happy with what I do and I love my job. It's difficult, but it's rewarding in the end."

While the 726th ACS was concentrating its efforts in Southwest Asia, the 389th FS was at the forefront in Korea.

Members of the 389th FS and maintainers addressed the continuing security concerns of our Republic of Korea allies, said Lt. Col. Brian McCarthy, 389th FS director of operations.

"Maintainers were there to generate the airpower needed to keep F-15E's flying," said Colonel McCarthy. "The Gunfighters integrated with the 8th Fighter Wing 'Wolfpack,' at Kunsan Air Base who were extremely impressed with how we contributed to their mission."

Senior Airman KerryAnn Raney reflected on many positive aspects of her deployment with the 389th FS as a member of the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Group. Airman Raney, a supply technician, provided parts and equipment to support the 389th FS for the last five months.

Airman Raney said she "enjoyed interacting with the local community, experiencing Korean culture, learning the language and looks forward to her own room, getting caught up with friends, and visiting family in Germany."

On Jan. 18, the 391st Fighter Squadron "Bold Tigers" deployed more than 300 of their Airmen to South Korea to continue the combat capability provided by the 389th FS.

"To have the Gunfighters chosen to help maintain stability on the Korean peninsula and support U.S. and coalition operations in southwest Asia and Afghanistan is a great honor," said Col. John Bird, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "The 726th ACS performed their mission flawlessly to provide support to our troops on the ground in Afghanistan. And over the next several months, I have no doubt that the Bold Tigers will continue to uphold the high standard of professionalism set by the T-Bolts while deployed to Kunsan."

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