An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Feb. 9, 2017

New Jersey Air National Guard Deployment Augments Osan Capabilities

By Staff Sgt. Victor J. Caputo 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Airmen and aircraft assigned to the 119th Fighter Squadron from the New Jersey Air National Guard began a deployment here on Feb. 5.

The guardsmen, who are deployed from the 177th Fighter Wing at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, are filling a theater security package at the request of U.S. Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces, providing an opportunity to work with and train alongside active duty forces.

“In addition to the assigned PACAF objectives, we expect to successfully integrate into the mission employment exercise and validate our ability to conduct combat operations off station commensurate with our active duty counterparts,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Crill, 119th FS commander.

TSP units are assigned to Osan to augment the base’s capabilities to project air power across the Korean Peninsula and strengthen the United States Forces Korea’s ability to deter regional threats while strengthening regional stability.

“Our brothers and sisters in the ANG are invaluable to have over here at Osan,” said Col. Cary Culbertson, 51st Fighter Wing vice commander. “The skill and knowledge they have collected over their years of service offer our active duty Airmen, whether they’re aircrew or support, priceless advice on how to complete the task at hand.”

The skills and knowledge Culbertson refers to come from the 119th FS’ long history, dating back nearly 100 years to its activation in June 1917 as the 5th Aviation School Squadron. The unit has undergone a variety of designation changes and bounced back and forth between federal and state service after World War II before settling under the authority of the New Jersey ANG in 1969.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to command these citizen airmen who volunteer to serve, in a Drill Status Guardsman, Technician or Active Guard and Reserve status, on active duty in an AOR that has significant strategic importance,” said Crill. “I look forward to ensuring that our citizen airmen have the necessary resources to generate airpower in support of the defense of the United States and our allies.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,965
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 18, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

America Amphibious Ready Group Completes Exercise Iron Fist
U.S Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, U.S. Navy Sailors with the America Amphibious Ready Group, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors pose for a group photo following the Iron Fist 24 closing ceremony aboard the Osumi-class tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 17, 2024. The closing ceremony concluded training between the armed forces and awarded servicemembers for outstanding performance during Iron Fist 24. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)
March 18, 2024 - Sailors assigned to the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, celebrated the completion of the 18th iteration of Exercise Iron Fist, alongside members of the Japan...

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launches
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 18, 2024 - We are aware of the DPRK’s March 17 ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. We have assessed these events did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory. The United...

US Space Forces Indo-Pacific executes Cobra Gold 2024
March 15, 2024 - U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific is taking a giant leap forward in multi-domain integration, leading U.S. space participation in Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 24 in Thailand, Feb. 27 – Mar. 8...

2nd Infantry/ROK-U.S. Combined Division Joins with ROK Forces for Air Assault Training Mission
A Republic of Korea Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter, 2nd Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, performs a sling load of a 12,000-pound High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while conducting combined air assault and ground training exercises during Freedom Shield 24, March 13, 2024, at the Korea Combined Training Center, South Korea. FS24, a holistic military training program, integrates ground, air, and naval elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat simulations, interoperability, and live exercises refining troops’ combat skills. (U.S. Army photo by KPfc. Lee, Hyun Bin)
March 15, 2024 - The 2nd Infantry/ROK-U.S. Combined Division completes a large-scale joint air assault training operation in conjunction with the ROK 2nd Rapid Response Division, Army Aviation Command, Air Force's 5th Air Mobility Wing during...