raised tensions with Iran, it means that US
air assets are once again in high demand
in the Middle East.
Brig Gen Lance Pilch took command of
the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW)
at Al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates
on July 1. Speaking at the event, Maj Gen
Chance Saltzman, US Air Forces Central
Command deputy commander, said: ‘The
wing has been a crucial element in the
ght against terror, directly supporting the
physical destruction of ISIS and the ght
against the Taliban. You continue to be
instrumental in the e ort to deter Iranian
hostilities in the Middle East, speci cally
with our Gulf partners.’Below: The
USS Abraham
Lincoln (CV 72)
is overfl own by
CVW-7 assets
and a USAF
B-52H in a clear
demonstration of
US air power in
the Persian Gulf.
US Navy/MCS1C
Brian M. WilburA show of unity between the USAF and
the Royal Saudi Air Force as a KE-3A
tanker is joined by F-15Cs from the 13th
Squadron and the 493rd EFS. RSAFThe USAF F-35As out of Al Dhafra
have been operating throughout the
AOR (Area Of Responsibility) and are
typically carrying a single external
AIM-9X. USAF/SrA Keifer Bowes26 September 2019 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
COMBAT REPORT // IRANIAN TENSIONS
24-28 US Gulf Air C.indd 26 18/07/2019 13:46