Six Air National Guardsmen who arrived in Iraq last fall from the Minnesota-based 148th Fighter Wing returned from their deployment to reveal they were among US security forces personnel that helped secure the courthouse where Saddam Hussein has been standing trial and to describe their work within the Baghdad international zone. Among insights they provided the Duluth News Tribune, one of the airmen, SSgt. Derek Bertram, said he recalled sitting and talking with Iraqi officials as informally as he would friends. He told the Tribune, “That tells e we are doing a positive job over there, all out of the 148th.”
In a rare letter to the entire force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach is telling Airmen to stay ready to support Operation Epic Fury, the massive U.S. operation against Iran.