November 2009 Unit Training Assembly

Breaking news photos, released today by 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Weapons element loaders with the 188th Fighter Wing conduct training on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Unit Training Assembly November 7, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Stephen Hornsey) Hi-res



Master Sgt. Albert Wright and Staff Sgt. Nicole Brown, both weapons element loaders with the 188th Fighter Wing, prepare to load a 500-pound bomb on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Unit Training Assembly November 7, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Stephen Hornsey) Hi-res



From left: Staff Sgt. Aaron Berkshire, Tech Sgt. Michael Aponte and Master Sgt. Albert Wright. The trio, which is from the weapons element of the 188th Fighter Wing, loads a MK-82 500-pound bomb during initial certification training on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Unit Training Assembly November 7, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Stephen Hornsey) Hi-res



Master Sgt. Albert Wright, a weapons element loader with the 188th Fighter Wing, loads a 500-pound bomb on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Unit Training Assembly November 7, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Stephen Hornsey) Hi-res



Tech Sgt. Jacob Harrell, a crew chief with the 188th Fighter Wing, conducts a preflight inspection on an A-10C Thunderbolt II during a Unit Training Assembly November 7, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Stephen Hornsey) Hi-res

Note: More pictures will be uploaded soon.

111th Fighter Wing: Ready to rock and roll!

Tech. Sgt. Dennis L. Donahue, 111th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Pa. Air National Guard, preps a live MK-82 low drag bomb before it is lifted and attached to an A-10 aircraft, during live loading operations at Fort Drum, NY. (U.S. Air Force photo)

by Staff Sgt. Julie Parker
111th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/12/2009 - WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. -- Sixteen members of the 111th Maintenance Group deployed to Ft. Drum, NY, in support of flying operations and live fire training missions July 30 through Aug. 9.

As a Forward Operating Location, or FOL, Ft. Drum provides the pilots and ground crews the opportunity to experience loading and firing live weapons, to include MK-82 and High Explosive (HE) rockets on the aircraft.

Four of the six A-10s currently belonging to the 111th Fighter Wing deployed, and because the location of Ft. Drum is so close to Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, pilots were able to rotate in and out throughout the exercise, maximizing the efficiency of training.

"From the Ammo troops who build the bombs, the weapons troops who load them, and the crew chiefs who launch and recover the aircraft, this is an exceptional opportunity for training and live munitions experience that they would not be able to get back home," expressed Capt. Aaron Shick, 111th Maintenance Squadron officer. "It is also a great experience to get accustomed to the way we operate during wartime."

FOLs usually include a runway and a couple of tents, conex, or small buildings. Although fully operational there are limited resources on site, and it is left to the troops to adapt and overcome.

According to Captain Shick, FOLs are used in real world operations to get the A-10 closer to the war zone. In 2003 when the 111th Fighter Wing deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, a small group of troops were deployed north into Iraq to an FOL in order to participate in "Shock and Awe" in Baghdad.

Source

Col. Carrelli assumes leadership of 111th Fighter Wing

Col. Tony Carrelli, 111th Maintenance Group commander, receives the guideon from Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Sischo, Deputy Adjutant General-Air and Commander of the Pa. Air National Guard and assumes command of the 111th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony held Aug. 2 at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa. (U.S. Air Force photo) Hi-res

by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White
111th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/12/2009 - WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. -- During a change of command ceremony held Aug. 2, Col. Paul Comtois, 111th Fighter Wing commander, passed the guideon and relinquished command of the 111th FW to Col. Tony Carrelli, 111th Maintenance Group commander, in Hangar 3 at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.

"We chose Colonel Carrelli to lead the 111th Fighter Wing into the future," said Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Sischo, Deputy Adjutant General-Air and Commander of the Pa. Air National Guard. "It's a huge responsibility and he is very enthusiastic about it. I have nothing but the greatest confidence in his ability to lead you and I'm sure I can count on you to support him to make the future of the 111th successful."

After assuming command, Colonel Carrelli thanked Colonel Comtois for his mentorship and for leaving him with a Wing that's 100 percent. "I couldn't walk into a better position and unit," he explained.

Colonel Carrelli began his career with the 111th in 1999 as an A-10 pilot. From 2003 until 2006, he served as 111th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander. Then, from 2006 until 2009, he served as the 111th Maintenance Group commander. He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours and has also flown the T-37, T-38, and AT-38B. He served two assignments in the T-37 and four assignments in the A-10 before coming to the 103rd FS at Willow Grove.

Colonel Carrelli has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1995, he received his Master's degree in aviation science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Fla. He has completed Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and Squadron Officer School. His military awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one device, Air Medal with five devices, Aerial Achievement Medal with five devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with three devices, Air Force Achievement Medal with one device, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and eight devices.

Colonel Paul Comtois served as Wing Commander for three years, was instrumental in navigating the 111th FW from base closure actions stemming from Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission actions to the establishment of a joint interagency installation (JII), leaving the Wing strong and ready to assume future missions. He joined the 111th in 1994 as an A-10 pilot and has over 2,700 flying hours. During his tour, he also served as Chief of Safety, Air Operations Officer, 103rd Operations Support Flight Commander, Wing Plans Officer, Operations Group Commander, Vice Wing Commander, and Air Commander.

Source

Biography of Colonel Anthony J. Carrelli:

Hi-res

Colonel Anthony J. Carrelli is Commander, 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, located at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Willow Grove Pennsylvania.

Colonel Carrelli graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985. He later received a Master's Degree in Aviation Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1995.

He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, Texas in 1986. Following his training, Colonel Carrelli remained at Reese AFB as a T-37 instructor pilot for the 35th Flying Training Squadron from 1986 to 1990. He was then assigned as a mission ready A-10 pilot in the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska from 1990 to 1991 and also the 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina from 1991 to 1992. Colonel Carrelli then was assigned to the 559th Flying Training Squadron as a T-37 pilot instructor pilot at Randolph AFB, Texas from 1992-1995. He then moved to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ where he served as an A/OA-10 instructor pilot in the 354th Fighter Squadron from 1995-1997 and the 357th Fighter Squadron from 1997-1999.

Colonel Carrelli began his tour with the 111th Fighter Wing in 1999 as an A/OA-10 pilot in the 103rd Fighter Squadron. In 2003, he moved to the Maintenance Group as the Commander of the 111th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron then Commander of the 111th Maintenance Group in 2006. In 2009, he assumed his present position as Commander of the 111th Fighter Wing and is still an active A/OA-10 pilot.

EDUCATION:
1985 Bachelors of Science, U.S. Air Force Academy
1989 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
1995 Masters of Aviation Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL (Correspondence)
2001 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence)
2005 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence)

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. 1985-1986, Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese AFB, TX
2. 1986-1990, T-37 Instructor Pilot, 35th Flying Training Squadron, Reese AFB, TX
3. 1990-1990, AT-38 Pilot, 438th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
4. 1990-1990, A-10 Pilot, 357th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
5. 1990-1991, A-10 Pilot, 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
6. 1991-1992, A-10 Pilot, 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC
7. 1992-1995, T-37 Pilot Instructor Pilot, 559th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX
8. 1995-1997, A-10 Pilot, 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
9. 1997-1999, A-10 Pilot, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
10. 1999-2003, A-10 Pilot, 103rd Fighter Squadron, Willow Grove ARS, PA
11. 2003-2006, Commander, 111th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Willow Grove ARS, PA
12. 2006-2009, Commander, 111th Maintenance Group, Willow Grove ARS, PA
13. 2009-Present, Commander 111th Fighter Wing, Willow Grove ARS, PA

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,500
Aircraft Flown: A/OA-10, T-37, T-38, AT-38B

MAJOR AWARD AND DECORATIONS:
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one silver leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with one silver leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Gallant Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and one silver and two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two bronze stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Promoted to present rank on October 1, 2007
(Current as of August 2009)

Source

188th Pilot Picked To Be One Of First To Fly F-35

By Jared Broyles, Reporter
5NEWS / KFSM-TV
November 10, 2009

FORT SMITH - The F-35 Lightning Two Joint Strike Fighter is the future of the U.S. military and our allies. Now, a member of the 188th Fighter Wing headquartered in Fort Smith will be one of the first pilots to be behind her controls.

Maker Lockheed Martin claims the F-35 fighter is like no other in the history of military aviation. Major Jay Spohn has been chosen as one of twelve pilots who will be the first to train on the new plane. It's an honor and an opportunity he never saw headed his way.

"I thought I'd be flying A-10's out of Fort Smith, Arkansas until the day I retired to be honest with you."

Major Jay Spohn flew into the Fort in 2007 as part of the 188th's transition from F-16's to A-10's.

"He's been an integral part of our transition." 188th commander Colonel Tom Anderson says the wing hates to lose him, but they're proud that one of their own was chosen to fly the F-35.

Spohn has flown the A-10 since joining the Air National Guard in 1999. The whirlwind process started with an email and ended with an interview about a month later.

"I was confident in my abilities. I thought I'd do okay, but I'm not going to tell you I wasn't surprised because I was very surprised that I was the guy that was picked for the job," Spohn told the media on the flight line.

Spohn says he was up against three other pilots with unique qualifications.

"He's a pilot's pilot he's very strong in his abilities to operate the plane in the air what makes him even more unique is his ability to instruct others," Colonel Anderson said.

This March the 188th will deploy for their first mission since the transition, but Spohn will not be among them. He says it's one of few regrets, not getting to see all of their hard work fly in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Spohn will be training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

"We will be the first 12 non test pilots or the first 12 operational pilots to fly the F3-5 for the Air Force," Spohn said.

The F-35 Lightning Two Joint Strike Fighter was developed for the U.S. military and our allies. Spohn is the only pilot chosen from the Air National Guard. Another was selected from the Reserves, and ten others from active duty pilots.

The F-35 will arrive at Eglin in August of next year. Major Spohn will fly the F-15 until that time.

Source

Related info:
188th Major Flying High In Fighter (Southwest Times Record)
From Thunderbolt to Lightning: 188th Fighter Wing's Spohn only Air National Guard pilot selected to first F-35 cadre (188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

188th Major Flying High In Fighter

Arkansas Air National Guard Maj. Jay Spohn pauses before boarding an A-10 Warthog in Fort Smith on Tuesday. Spohn has been chosen to join a select group of pilots training to operate the new F-35 fighter aircraft. (Photo by Rusty Garret / Southwest Times Record)

By Rusty Garrett
Southwest Times Record
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 8:53 AM CST

First he trained members of the 188th Fighter Wing to fly Warthogs; then he trained them for deployment to Afghanistan. Now Maj. Jay Spohn is looking at some training for himself as the lone Air National Guardsman among a dozen elite pilots training on a brand new fighter plane.

As eager as he is to see his unit accomplish its overseas mission, Spohn is equally eager to take on the new one facing him. He will join the initial cadre of aviators in the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter program. The F-35 took to the air last year and so far has been flown primarily by test pilots.

Spohn and the other pilots — from the Air Force Reserves and active duty Air Force — will be the first to learn and use the military applications of the new multi-purpose aircraft.

Spohn joined the 188th in March 2007 to help the unit move from flying F-16 Fighting Falcons to A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthogs." Recently, as the unit's chief of weapons and tactics, he has been preparing Guardsmen for their mission in Afghanistan, scheduled for early next year.

Spohn has flown A-10s throughout his Guard career. And though he is comfortable with the Warthog, he said Tuesday that it has become evident the versatile F-35 will replace both the A-10s and F-16s as the predominant aircraft in the type of combat challenging the U.S. He said the F-35 is "a step above anything in a fighter," with equal air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capability.

"I thought it would be beneficial if someone ended up in the cadre with some A-10 experience," Spohn said. "As I thought about it more, I thought, 'Why not me?'"

Spohn said A-10 pilots are trained to a "close air support" mentality, focusing on the mission of ground troops.

Understandably, Spohn has little personal knowledge of the F-35.

He has experienced a model of the aircraft's cockpit and its state-of-the-art flight helmet, which provides aviators with day-night, all-weather vision and the capability of a 360-degree view of their surroundings.

He said a pilot looking down will not see his legs, but a view of the ground directly below his aircraft.

Spohn is scheduled to report to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida for the first phase of his training Dec. 11.

He said it will take the Air Force several months to secure and outfit the F-35 aircraft for the team.

In the meantime, he will train in F-15C aircraft, a fighter he says will help him gain additional experience in air-to-air combat.

In August Spohn and the other pilots will transfer to nearby Eglin Air Force Base for 12 to 14 months of training on the F-35.

Spohn, 34, is a New Jersey native.

He was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in October 1999, and attended U.S. Air Force Weapons Officer Training at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Soon after graduation from weapons school, Spohn joined the 188th.

The 10-year Guard veteran said he has enjoyed his time in Arkansas and will miss his association with the 188th.

Upon completion of his training, he expects to be "semi-permanently or permanently" assigned to the Florida National Guard.

Col. Tom Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing Commander, called Spohn's selection "a bittersweet pill" of pride over his selection and the loss of his talent as a leader.

He said Spohn has been both a skilled pilot and an able instructor during his tenure with the 188th, and he will be missed.

Source

Related info:
From Thunderbolt to Lightning: 188th Fighter Wing's Spohn only Air National Guard pilot selected to first F-35 cadre (188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

Northrop Grumman Awarded A-10 Thunderbolt II Total Life-Cycle Program Support Task Order

News release by Northrop Grumman:

HERNDON, Va., Nov. 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a task order under the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-cycle Program Support (TLPS) indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity program to develop and test an anti-jam embedded GPS and inertial navigation unit (EGI) for the A-10C.

Under the terms of the 18-month, $3.3 million cost-plus fixed fee hybrid task order, Northrop Grumman Technical Services will perform an integrated architecture and life cycle costs analysis and install a temporary modification. The company will then develop a system safety program and provide program and engineering management support in order to conduct an operational assessment of the EGI capability during flight test.

Northrop Grumman's team includes subcontractors BAE Systems Control Inc., Johnson City, N.Y., and Borsight Aerospace, Farmington, Utah.

"Our unparalleled experience and demonstrated success with avionics systems integration combined with a low-cost, low-risk replacement for the current A-10 EGI made us an easy choice for the Air Force," said Doug Hamel, Northrop Grumman Technical Services program manager for the contract. "We'll work right beside our valued Air Force customer to minimize hardware and software changes, which will address the long-term performance issues the A-10 will encounter as it is now expected to be in service through 2030."

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Source

A-10 Training Mission at Selfridge

Great pictures, released today by 127th Wing Public Affairs:



Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs of the 107th Fighter Squadron sit at the end of the runway to complete their readiness checks and have munitions armed for a training mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, November 5, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by John S. Swanson) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft at right carries AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 10 (a proof for the A-10C upgrade).



An A-10 Thunderbolt II of the 107th Fighter Squadron takes off from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, for a training mission in northern Michigan November 05, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by John S. Swanson) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 81-0975, formerly assigned to the 172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek. Fresh painted inscription on the left engine nacelle, but still no new tail stripe.



Four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs of the 107th Fighter Squadron sit on the east ramp at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, being prepped by the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron for the day's training missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by John S. Swanson) Hi-res

Note: Tailcodes from right to left: BC, MI, BC, MI. Aircraft with BC tailcode still have their old markings of the 172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek.



Seven of the 107th Fighter Squadron A-10s sit parked in front of the Base Operations building at Selridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. (U.S. Air Force photo by John S. Swanson) Hi-res