In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with air expeditionary organizations.
The Air Expeditionary Force concept was developed that would mix active duty, reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force.
Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "provisional" as in the 1991 Gulf War, Expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.

In April 1998, the squadron was the major force provider for the 188th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deploying 6 F-16s and support personnel to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Operation Southern Watch was an operation which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone below the 32nd parallel in Iraq.
This mission was initiated mainly to cover for attacks of Iraqi forces on the Iraqi Shi’ite Muslims.
 The expeditionary squadron was inactivated in July 1998.

Another 188th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was activated in March 2001, deploying to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch.
 Operation Northern Watch was a US European Command Combined Task Force which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq.
This mission was a successor to Operation Provide Comfort which also entailed support for the Iraqi Kurds.
 The deployed personnel and aircraft returned in June 2001 and the 188th EFS was again inactivated.
In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with air expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force concept was developed that would mix active duty, reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "provisional" as in the 1991 Gulf War, Expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.
In April 1998, the squadron was the major force provider for the 188th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deploying 6 F-16s and support personnel to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch. Operation Southern Watch was an operation which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone below the 32nd parallel in Iraq. This mission was initiated mainly to cover for attacks of Iraqi forces on the Iraqi Shi’ite Muslims.  The expeditionary squadron was inactivated in July 1998.
Another 188th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was activated in March 2001, deploying to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch.  Operation Northern Watch was a US European Command Combined Task Force which was responsible for enforcing the United Nations mandated no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. This mission was a successor to Operation Provide Comfort which also entailed support for the Iraqi Kurds.  The deployed personnel and aircraft returned in June 2001 and the 188th EFS was again inactivated.
188th Rescue Squadron