South Dakota Air National Guard
For Immediate Release: November 7, 2002
For More Information: Lt Col Reid A Christopherson, 605-988-5644

Air Guard Enforces No-Fly Zone

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Eleven-years ago the ceasefire agreement with Iraq, ending Operation Desert Storm, created two “No Fly Zones” over northern and southern Iraq. In the years that have followed the United States Air Force has flown daily missions to enforce these “No Fly Zones” as part of Operation Northern Watch from air bases in southern Europe and Operation Southern Watch based out of several operating locations in southwest Asia. All components of the United States Air Force (Active, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard) have continuously provided personnel and resources towards this Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) plan.

During December 2002 members of the South Dakota Air National Guard will once again deploy from Sioux Falls to a United States Air Base in Turkey as part of the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) element of Operation Northern Watch. While deployed these guardmembers will directly support F-16 fighter operations in the region. During the same period additional members of the South Dakota Air National Guard will deploy throughout southern Europe and southwest Asia as part of the Expeditionary Combat Support (ECS) elements of both Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch. These deployments mark the fifth time that the South Dakota Air National Guard has conducted operations of this type.

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