Vermont Business Magazine Approximately 150 Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing inBurlington returned home from missions supporting the PacificCommand Theater Security Package, most recently in Japan. Air National Guard members were welcomed home Monday afternoon.The personnel and 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons were deployed to Kadena Air Base inOkinawa, Japan and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.
"The Vermont Air National Guard is very proud of their contribution toregional security and stability in the Pacific," said Major GeneralSteven Cray,the adjutant general, "We look forward to their return and reuniting them withtheir families."
VTANG photo shows Vermont guard members boarding their plane last April.
Deployment of the Theater Security Package is designed to provide the PACOMregion with forces capable of a variety of operations, including disasterrelief, global situational awareness, combating piracy, active defense andpower projection.Air Combat Command routinely deploys fighter aircraft to the region to provideU.S. Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces with Theater Security Packages,which help maintain a deterrent against threats to regional security andstability.
Movement of USAir Force TSPs into the region has been a routine andintegral part of U.S. Pacific Command's force posture since March 2004. ThisTSP demonstrates the continuing UScommitment to stability and security inthe region and shows our commitment to the US-Japan alliance and the defenseof Japan.