Guard fighters leave Ellington Field for Iraq

A few weeks ago, our beloved hometown rag said the Texas Air National Guard's F-16 fighter jets at Ellington Field are all but useless in the War on Terror:

However, the F-16 fighters of the Texas Air National Guard stationed at Ellington Field would seem to have limited utility in deterring or attacking today's terrorists.

Shockingly, the Pentagon disagrees with the Chronicle's editorial board. You see, the 147th Fighter Wing is on its way to Iraq for some good old-fashioned bad-guy killin':

Ellington Field was the scene of tears, hugs and American flags Tuesday night as several hundred personnel from the 147th Fighter Wing of the Texas Air National Guard shipped out for Iraq. The mission, at a time when the Pentagon is considering retiring all of the wing's F-16s, is to provide air support for ground troops. Personnel and pilots are expected to remain in Iraq until the early fall.

Also, for some odd reason, this story is filed in the Chron's sports directory.