Why It Matters
More than 300 Idaho airmen from the 124th Fighter Wing have been sent to the Middle East to participate in ongoing military operations targeting Iran’s security apparatus. The deployment directly involves Idaho service members in a significant escalation of U.S. military action in the region.
This marks the second major deployment for the Boise-based unit in just over a year, following a three-month mission that began in March 2025.
What Happened
The Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in late March and early April, according to Lt. Col. Chris Borders, Idaho National Guard spokesperson. The deployment supports Operation Epic Fury, the military operation launched by President Donald Trump on Feb. 28 targeting Iranian regime security facilities.
Flight tracking data showed six A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft departed from Gowen Field Air National Guard base in Boise on March 27, staging through Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire before arriving at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England on March 31.
Borders declined to provide additional details about the deployment, citing authorization restrictions on disclosing operational information.
By The Numbers
300+ Idaho airmen deployed from the 124th Fighter Wing
6 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft tracked flying to England
21 countries covered by U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility
4 million square miles spanning the Central Command region across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and parts of central and south Asia
3 months duration of the unit’s previous deployment in 2025
Zoom Out
Operation Epic Fury represents a significant expansion of U.S. military operations against Iran. According to U.S. Central Command, the operation focuses on striking targets that dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations identified as imminent threats.
The 124th Fighter Wing operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, close air support planes designed for ground attack missions. The unit’s previous deployment to the region lasted three months beginning in March 2025.
What’s Next
The duration of the current deployment has not been disclosed. Military officials have not provided a timeline for when Idaho airmen will return from the Middle East.
Further details about the specific missions and operational scope remain classified under operational security protocols.
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