IRAQ. Balad. May 8, 2008.
Balad Airbase is located in Northern Iraq approximately 68 kilometers North of Baghdad. Balad Airbase is one of the largest Airbases in Iraq.
The installation is the launching point for Air Force F-16 fighters, Army helicopters and Army military intelligence unmanned aerial systems. The Balad Airbase is in a very strategic location for Air Force missions in support of combat operations into Baghdad. F-16's are close enough to Baghdad that by the time they put their gearÕs up they are in the combat zone. If the base takes mortar fire fighter pilots are able to quickly bombard insurgents just a couple of miles from the runway. They also can streak to anywhere over Iraq's 227,000 square miles in about 15 minutes, refueled by airborne tankers and propelled by an engine that produces an earth-shaking 24,000 pounds of thrust.
Col. Charly Moore (R) and Capt. Wilbanks (L), F16 pilots of 332d Expedi tionnary group.