Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      .The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on Oct. 24, 2023. This bolsters U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

New F-16 squadron arrives, bolstering US defense posture in Middle EastPublished Oct. 24, 2023
                    
                    
                    Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs
            **SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --**The **New Jersey Air National Guard**’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived in **U.S. Central Command**’s area of responsibility with an additional **F-16 Fighting Falcon** squadron, bolstering U.S. posture to deter further aggression in the region.

The Atlantic City-based fighters, also known as the “Jersey Devils,” now aligned under **9th Air Force**, provide flexible options to coalition leaders directing air operations throughout the Middle East, including contingency response capabilities and deterrence missions, while maintaining Operation Inherent Resolve’s “Defeat-ISIS” mission..The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on Oct. 24, 2023. This bolsters U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    .The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on Oct. 24, 2023. This bolsters U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    .The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on Oct. 24, 2023. This bolsters U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Megan Floyd)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

“We are fortunate to have the 119th EFS join us in U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility,” said U.S. Air Force **Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich**, 9th AF and Combined Forces Air Component Command commander. “**Air National Guard** Airmen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our mission in the Middle East. The arrival of these Airmen strengthens our ability to support our allied, coalition and regional partners as we work together to enhance regional stability and security.”

As a highly maneuverable and agile platform, the F-16’s capabilities ensure U.S. and coalition forces can establish air superiority in contested airspace with its proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack.

Ninth Air Force currently operates three F-16 squadrons, two **A-10 Thunderbolt II** squadrons, and one **F-15E Strike Eagle** squadron alongside several strategic airlift, aerial refueling, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

Imagery of operations and activities within the 9AF area of responsibility is publicly available through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service **here**.LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



airpower 



ANG 



NJANG 



119EFS 



f-16 



Fighting Falcon 



Middle East 



air forces central 



USCENTCOM 



9AF 



Jersey Devils 



LTG Alexus G. Grynkewich 



regional stability 



deter aggression 



One Team One Fight

Related Links
        F-16s Head to Middle East to Help Protect US Troops Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil