4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, examines his gear prior to climbing into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, review preflight checklists for an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, climbs a ladder leading to the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prepares for takeoff while U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alec Cruz, 455 EAMXS, perform final preflight inspections on an F-16 Fighting Falcon in preparation for a mission Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Shinkle, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, uses arm signals to communicate with a U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, prior to marshalling the F-16 Fighting Falcon onto a taxiway Jan. 9, 2015 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz/released)

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4 EFS: Eyes in the skies

Published Jan. 17, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --

Members of the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group here prepared F-16 Fighting Falcons and secured the skies of Afghanistan during a mission Jan. 9.

The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that provides air superiority enabling freedom of movement for troops on the ground as well as close air support for troops engaged in combat.