United States Department of Defense

AIRPOWER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (AEF) DEPLOYMENT TO QATAR

An Airpower Expeditionary Force (AEF) consisting of about thirty aircraft and associated support personnel and equipment is deploying to Qatar in support of Operation Southern Watch.

The 4th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) will deploy with F-15Es from the 4th Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., F-16s from the 169th Fighter Wing, McIntyre Air National Guard Base, S.C.; from the 27th Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, N.M.; and from the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C.

Deployment of the 4th AEW was based upon consultations between the Government of Qatar, the United States, and other states in Southwest Asia. This deployment augments existing U.S. forces in the region while validating our capability to rapidly reinforce in-place forces during periods of increased tension. The deployment also assists in improving U.S. interoperability with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners in the region.