“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Major Raymond Fowler, a pilot with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails”, prepares for a sortie at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. Fowler is deployed from the Alabama National Guard and a native of Atlanta, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Major Raymond Fowler, a pilot with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails”, prepares for a sortie at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The mission of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” here is to provide tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. Fowler is deployed from the Alabama National Guard and a native of Atlanta, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Major Raymond Fowler, a pilot with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails”, prepares for a sortie at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The 100 EFS launch around-the-clock in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. Fowler is deployed from the Alabama National Guard and a native of Atlanta, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force Airman taxis an F-16 “Fighting Falcon” with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails” at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The mission of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” here is to provide tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force Major Raymond Fowler, a pilot with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails”, prepares for a sortie at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. Fowler is deployed from the Alabama National Guard and a native of Atlanta, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

Several U.S. Air Force F-16 “Fighting Falcons” assigned to the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails” sit at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force F-16 “Fighting Falcon” with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails” taxi’s at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The 100 EFS launch around-the-clock in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force F-16 “Fighting Falcon” with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails” flies over Afghanistan at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The mission of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” here is to provide tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground support for Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force F-16 “Fighting Falcon” with the 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Red Tails” sits at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 7, 2014. The 100 EFS launch around-the-clock in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit is deployed from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

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“Red Tails” over Afghanistan

Published Aug. 15, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 100th Fighter Squadron "Red Tails" from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery, Ala. provide over-watch and close-air-support for ground units here. The unit's history is well known as they were one of the original Tuskegee Airmen squadrons during World War II. They deployed to Italy as bomber escorts in late 1943, supported the Cold War and continued their legacy during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. This is the ninth combat deployment for the 187 FS since Operation Desert Storm.