The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing recently hosted a Royal Moroccan Air Force delegation at McEntire JNGB, S.C., for a tour of the unit’s F-16 operations. The Moroccans will soon become F-16 operators themselves, having ordered 24 F-16 Block 52 aircraft in 2008. They are expected to commence their operations in 2011. Since the 169th FW flies F-16 Block 52s, it made the Air Guardsmen ideal hosts to showcase F-16 operations and support. “It’s a great opportunity for them to see the operations, support, and training here at McEntire,” said Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Wyatt, who heads the US Embassy’s security cooperation mission to Morocco. The RMAF is currently building its own base for its F-16 operations. RMAF Col. Abdelhak Sanhaji said the visit provided “a lot of new information” to incorporate. (McEntire report by Army Sgt. Stephen Hudson)
Iran and its proxy groups across the Middle East remain a threat to American troops in the region despite being weakened by conflicts on multiple fronts over the past few years, the nominee to run U.S. Central Command said June 24.