442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/15/2008 - SALINA, Kan. -- With the arrival of the last group of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs late in the afternoon, Hawgsmoke 2008 got into full swing Oct. 15 as pilots flew out to the Kansas Air National Guard's Smoky Hill bomb and gunnery range nearby for range familiarization flights.
Clearing skies signaled the end of nearly two days of rain at the central Kansas location, as maintenance crews received the new arrivals while launching and recovering the local flights participating in the United States Air Force's biennial A-10 bombing and tactical gunnery competition.
As soon as the pilots stepped from the jets they were greeted by the supervisor of flying and transported to Hawgsmoke headquarters for an array of in-processing steps designed to make their arrival orderly, convenient and brief.
After storing their flight gear at the Life Support section, the pilots met with representatives from maintenance debriefing, supervisor of flying (SOF), maintenance operations control (MOC), command post, personnel support for contingency operations also known as PERSCO, and lodging.
Maintenance debriefing gleaned the data provided by the incoming pilots regarding maintenance issues and passed problems along to the maintainers who focused on getting the jets ready to fly again. Most aircraft were back in the air after only a brief time on the ground.
"[For Hawgsmoke], debrief has been combined with MOC (maintenance operations center)," said Senior Airman Kimberly Byers, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance debriefing. "We've been getting [the pilot's] information about the incoming jets and now we are working on the sorties for the actual competition."
For having such a large influx of aircraft and crews in a very short time, things went well for Airman Byers. Her only challenge was learning the nuances of how each unit handled the data differently.
Ensuring the mission identifiers were closed out as the aircraft arrived was the first order of business for the command-post controllers at the next stop for each team. There activities were going as planned.
"Things have been pretty much been going by the book today," said Staff Sgt. Adrian Walker, 442nd Fighter Wing command-post controller. "I think we're doing very well."
PERSCO checked in all new arrivals to maintain the personnel accountability of not only the pilots, but also maintenance and support personnel. At the final stop a lodging representative made sure each pilot had comfortable living quarters during the competition.
The whole process was well orchestrated and, as a result, the pilots could focus on getting oriented to the new surroundings.
Pilots from 14 active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard squadrons are participating in Hawgsmoke 2008 and will share flight time in 30 A-10s supplied by Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units.
As the first full day of Hawgsmoke 2008 ended, an A-10 "missing- man" formation flew over the "Hog" pilots gathered at the edge of the Salina Airport flight line for a memorial service, which commemorated all A-10 pilots who have perished over the years since the aircraft first flew.
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 110th Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, takes off from the Salina, Kan., airport Oct. 15 for an orientation flight over the nearby Smoky Hill bombing and gunnery range. Thirty A-10s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units across the country have converged on Salina for Hawgsmoke 2008, which will pit active-duty, Reserve and Guard pilots from 14 squadrons against each other in a bienniel bomb and gunnery competition. The competition will last through Oct. 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 917th Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., touches down at the Salina, Kan., airport Oct. 15 for Hawgsmoke 2008. Fourteen A-10 squadrons from active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units from around the world are competing in a bienniel bombing and gunnery competition, which is being hosted in Salina and at the nearby Smoky Hill Range. The competition will end Oct. 18 after determining a Hawgsmoke champion, which will host the 2010 event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res
An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 917th Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., touches down at the Salina, Kan., airport Oct. 15 for Hawgsmoke 2008. Fourteen A-10 squadrons from active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units from around the world are competing in a bienniel bombing and gunnery competition, which is being hosted in Salina and at the nearby Smoky Hill Range. The competition will end Oct. 18 after determining a Hawgsmoke champion, which will host the 2010 event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res
Capt Jeremy Stoner, an A-10 pilot from the 110th Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, prepares to shut down engines following his arrival at the Salina, Kan., airport Oct. 15 for Hawgsmoke 2008. Hawgsmoke is a bienniel competition for A-10 pilots from across the Air Force that tests aerial bombing and gunnery skills. This year's Hawgsmoke is hosted by the Air Force Reserve Command's 442nd Fighter Wing, based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The competition lasts through Oct. 18 and pilots will use the Smoky Hill Range near Salina to hit targets with 30-mm cannnon rounds and practice munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res
Lt. Col. Daryl Newhart, an A-10 pilot with the 103rd Fighter Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, throws a shot glass into a firepit during a "Lost Hogs" memorial ceremony Oct. 15, part of Hawgsmoke 2008, at the Salina, Kan., airport. Hawgsmoke is a bienniel A-10 aerial gunnery and bombing competition, which is being hosted this year by the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The Lost Hogs ceremony pays homage to all A-10 pilots who have passed away. In an A-10 tradition, pilots drink a shot as a toast to their fallen comrades then throw the shot glass into a fire pit after the names of all deceased A-10 pilots have been read aloud. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res
Source
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment