More US F-16 Fighter Jets Arrives In West Asia (image-twitter/USAFCENT)
The Pentagon has announced that a squadron of F-16 fighting falcon aircraft has arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility in West Asia on Tuesday. The US Department of Defense reported that the aircraft will work alongside an array of capabilities the Defense department has sent to region in recent days to further enhance the ability of US forces to defend themselves.
The Air Force central said in the statement that the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter squadron will “provide flexible options to coalition leaders directing air operations throughout the Middle East, including contingency response capabilities and deterrence missions”.
They have also announced that the arrival of Atlantic city based fighters, also known as the ‘Jersey Devils’ in response to recent drone attacks that have been thwarted by US troops in the area. As the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas has thrived to continue, US has decided to sent in more personnel to the region.
AFCENT commander Lt.Gen.Alexus G.Grynkewich said in the statement that the arrival of these Airmen will strengthen their ability to support their allied, coalition and regional partners as they work towards to enhance regional stability and security.
The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, bolstering U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region.@usairforce @CENTCOM @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/5FomJiS0rq
— US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) October 24, 2023
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that the effort to protect US forces in the region is one of the three primary objectives the department has focused on since the Oct 7 attack. He added that the department is also focused on supporting Israel”s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and deterring border conflict in the region.
The US has rushed in security assistance to enable Israel Defense Force to restore security and protect the Israeli people, he said.
“Since [the] Hamas terrorist attack, we”ve also been crystal clear that we do not want to see the situation in Israel [widen] into a broader regional conflict,” he said. ” … Our message to any country or group thinking about trying to take advantage of this situation to widen the conflict is: Don”t,” Ryder added.
