The 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa AB, Japan, redeployed its 14th Fighter Squadron airmen from Balad AB, Iraq, deploying in their stead airmen of the wing’s 13th FS for the current Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation. First Lt. Shannon Collins reports that the 14th FS, supported by 35th FW maintainers, flew some 1,400 sorties for 5,800 hours over Iraq for AEF 6 and 7. The two units fly the Block 50 F-16CJ fighters, which normally conduct suppression of enemy air defense operations. In Iraq, though, they flew close air support, using their advanced targeting pods.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

