F-16s from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180 Fighter Wing in Toledo are temporarily operating from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, while workers repair the runway at their home station, according to a release. The F-16s arrived at Wright-Patt in mid-month and will remain there for several weeks, using the base’s runways and airspace to maintain mission readiness, said Wright-Patt officials. Lt. Col. Deron Reynolds, 180th FW alert commander, said the F-16 pilots would be ready to defend US airspace, if called upon, while operating from Wright-Patt. Dayton’s WDTN TV news station reported that the F-16s are expected to remain at Wright-Patt until Sept. 8. Wright-Patt is some 140 miles south of the Toledo Express Airport, home of the 180th FW. (Wright-Patt report by Amy Rollins)
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…