A dozen F-16s from the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire JNGB, S.C., will deploy to Osan AB, South Korea, later this month. The fighter jets and approximately 300 airmen from the 169th FW will make up the latest Pacific theater security package when they depart mid-July, according to a release. The 169th FW follows the 12 F-16s and 300 airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing from Duluth ANGB, Minn., that deployed to Osan in April. The service has deployed TSPs to the region regularly since 2004 as part of US Pacific Command’s force posture, according to the release. Last May, the 169th FW deployed to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.