By Thai Newsroom Reporters
A COUPLE OF THE THAI AIR FORCE’S F-16 Fighting Falcon jets today (Apr. 19) joined four others of the same type in conducting regular air patrols over Thai territory across the border from the war-torn Myanmar.
Both General Dynamics F-16A/B fighter jets from Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima are operating as a fresh addition to the four F-16A/Bs from Wing 4 in Takhli with air patrol missions in Thai air space over Mae Sarieng district of Mae Hong Son and Mae Sot district of Tak, opposite Hpapun and Myawaddy townships in Kayin state of Myanmar respectively, according to an air force source.
The six F-16A/Bs are practically rotating to fly in their shared mission for the day/night air patrols along the Thai-Myanmar border whilst the air force pilots have been instructed to literally see to it that no foreign combat aircraft “stray” from inside Myanmar into Thai air space, either purposely or inadvertently, over those border areas which could otherwise adversely affect Thai villagers, the source said.
Air force chief ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul has earlier confirmed the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets could scramble in the sky within five minutes from an air base to intercept any intruding jets from the other side of the shared border.
He apparently referred to the Myanmar air force’s MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, one of which had “strayed” into Thai air space over Popphra district of Tak in a purported air-to-surface strike mission against Karen rebel units in Kayin state in 2022.
The Myanmar air force’s MiG-29s, among other combat aircraft, are anticipated to step up airstrikes against armed ethnic rebels, especially those of the Karen National Liberation Army and People Defence Force, since they took over Myawaddy from Tatmadaw government troops who were reportedly preparing to launch dry-season offensives in effort to regain the border township.
The chronic fighting inside Myanmar had prompted a large number of refugees to flee across the border into Thai territory for safety.
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Thai air force F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: Thai air force
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