The Minnesota National Guard revealed this weekend that some 200 airmen deployed to Balad AB, Iraq, from the Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing at Duluth, Minn., will stay longer than their original 45-day tour—possible another 40 days. The Minnesota Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Larry Shelito, expressed his disappointment in a statement, but acknowledged, “This is a sound Air Force decision based on the available military resources in Iraq.” The Minnesota F-16 unit is on hold because its replacement has “an unexpected delay” not because of the recent surge in forces, according to the Guard statement.
F-15E Aviator Missing in Iran Rescued by US Forces
April 5, 2026
The second crew member of the F-15E shot down April 3 has been rescued from Iran. U.S. forces recovered the aviator alive and all American forces involved in the operation are believed to be safe, U.S. officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.