F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from the US Air Force downed 108 drones and cruise missiles during their latest deployment to the Middle East. The fighters and the crews responsible for those aerial kills belonged to the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, a unit that remained forward-deployed for almost eight months while supporting a range of US Armed Forces operations throughout that period.
The US Air Force released the engagement figures alongside news that the then commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (480th EFS), Lieutenant Colonel William Parks, had been awarded the Silver Star.
Middle East deployment of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron
Across the eight-month rotation, the squadron’s twelve F-16 Fighting Falcons and 56 airmen flew multiple combat sorties in support of Operations Prosperity Guardian, Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield and Rough Rider. The last of these was the US aerial offensive against Houthi forces in Yemen.
When outlining the expeditionary unit’s milestones, the US Air Force emphasised that the squadron set a record with 108 aerial victories against enemy uncrewed aerial systems and land-attack cruise missiles.
New capabilities and ammunition management for the F-16 Fighting Falcon
Under Lt Col Parks’ leadership, the 480th EFS also fielded additional capabilities, including employing AGR-20F air-to-ground rockets in an air-to-air role.
Resource management under threat was highlighted as another key feature of the squadron’s performance. One measure was to prioritise the use of older AIM-9M missiles, “...which resulted in savings of more than 25 million dollars in munition costs and led to the first successful employment of the AIM-9M in combat in 30 years...”, the US Air Force (USAF) explained.
In its statement, the USAF credited Lt Col Parks with six aerial victories out of the 108 achieved by his squadron-shoot-downs that “...helped save the lives of more than 5,000 sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)...”. This action most likely took place during Operation Rough Rider, the air campaign against Houthi forces carried out by the US Air Force and US Navy between March and April 2025.
Silver Star
Lt Col William Parks was recently awarded the Silver Star for his actions while leading a strike package made up of 21 combat aircraft. Tasked with suppressing the enemy’s integrated air defence system, Parks “...intentionally placed himself within the threat radius of a complex air defence zone protecting the enemy capital...”.
“...His heroic decision ensured the mission succeeded in neutralising the enemy’s ballistic-missile production facilities. However, as a result of those actions, enemy forces had the opportunity to unleash a barrage of surface-to-air missiles and precision-guided anti-aircraft artillery against Parks’ mission... For 15 minutes, with enemy missiles detonating just metres from his aircraft, Parks led his flight through a series of high-G manoeuvres and employed countermeasures...”, the US Air Force detailed.
After the hostile air-defence threat was overcome, Lt Col Parks had to arrange an emergency refuelling because fuel burn had been unusually high while evading surface-to-air missiles. The urgent rendezvous with two different tanker aircraft “...ensured his section had access to the fuel required and ultimately prevented the likely loss of two aircraft due to fuel starvation...”.
Cover image for illustration. Credit: USAF – Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske
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