Pilot surpasses 3,000 hours in A-10 Thunderbolt

by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

11/29/2008 - BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- The list of single-seat fighter pilots who have flown 3,000 hours in one particular aircraft is short. On Nov. 21, a new name was added to that list when Lt. Col. David Dressel, flew his 3,000th hour in an A-10 Thunderbolt II while flying a close air support mission over Afghanistan.

Colonel Dressel, a native of Watertown, Minn., began flying in 1991. The A-10 was his number one choice coming out of pilot training.

"When I was a senior in high school I was placed in a Minnesota mentor program where you go to school half time and work with an industry half time," he said. "I was interested in aviation and was placed with a company that designed bullets for the military. I was put on a design team that built 30 mm shells for the A-10. I said this is awesome. The only plane that carried the 30 mm cannon was the A-10 - that's what lead me down that road."

From his first sortie in the A-10 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., 18 years ago, to flying combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Colonel Dressel has come a long way.

"You remember where you were when you hit 1,000, and when you hit 2,000 hours," he said. "To hit 3,000 hours in a combat sortie was really special."

Colonel Dressel, deployed with the 75th Fighter Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., is no stranger to combat. He has deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He said there is no other place he would rather be than deployed.

"Our job is to support the guys on the ground," he said. "Unlike other aircraft, that's our main focus - providing close air support to guys on the ground, slugging it out day after day, 24/7.

"Back home you rate your success on how well you performed," he continued. "Here, you rate your success on how well the ground guys do. Our success comes down to whether or not the ground commander was able to accomplish his mission."

Despite his accomplishments, this veteran pilot tips his hat to the new pilots he works with.

"It was seven years before I shot in combat," he said. "When I came in, we were a nation at peace, now we are in a conflict. Anyone who signed up after 9/11 knew they were going to deploy and see combat. My hat's off to them."

Next for Colonel Dressel is passing 500 combat hours in the A-10 - something he is on track to accomplish during this deployment.

Source



Lt. Col. David Dressel, a pilot with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, powers down A-10C 79-0192 from the 74th Fighter Squadron after flying his 3,000th hour in the aircraft on November 21, 2008, at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Colonel Dressel, deployed from Moody AFB, Georgia, is among a handful of active-duty pilots to reach this milestone. (Courtesy photo) Hi-res



Lt. Col. David Dressel poses in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Colonel Dressel, a native of Watertown, Minnesota, has flown more than 3,000 hours in the A-10 and is on track to reach 500 combat hours during his current deployment. (Courtesy photo) Hi-res

Related news:
47FS pilots make history (June 2008)
104th Fighter Wing pilots break records! (March 2007)
Deployed A-10 Pilot Reaches 3,000-Hour Mark (July 29, 2005)

Nov. 25 airpower summary: A-10s deter anti-Afghan attacks

The following picture was released yesterday on USAF's public main website as part of the "Nov. 25 airpower summary: A-10s deter anti-Afghan attacks". This additional picture is part of a well-known air refueling photo series, and some other shots are already released by USAF and also posted on my blog.



A-10 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron, currently deployed as a replacement with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, flies a combat mission over Afghanistan on November 7, 2008. Freedom. A-10Cs from the 75th EFS provide close air support and perform sorties daily providing top cover for ground forces in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res

Intel: Enroute to Spang, Bagram A-10s diverted to Ramstein

According to latest spotter info on Scramble Messageboard and Flugzeugforum, yesterday some A-10Cs from the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, enroute from Bagram AB, Afghanistan, to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for wing inspections and repairs diverted to Ramstein AB, Germany, due to fog.

Noted were: 78-0674, 78-0679, 79-0138, 79-0186, 79-0192 and A-10 "74TH FS".

Because 78-0674 is currently marked "74 FS" the number of aircraft could be incorrect. One user on Scramble Messageboard wrote: 1255L: MAZDA81 flight arrived here due fog at Spang. Not sure if it's 4 or 6 FT A10's as it should of been MAZDA81-84 and TREND53,54.

UPDATE: Later today, Dalibor Ankovic from Germany sent a very helpful comment to this breaking news (click the comment link bellow). And thanks to him, all six diverted aircraft are identified now:

Mazda 81-84: 78-0674 (74th FS, marked 74 FS), 78-0697 (74th FS), 79-0138 (75th FS), 79-0186 (75th FS)
Trend 53-54: 78-0679 (75th FS), 79-0192 (74th FS)

Special thanks to Dalibor for his great input!

BRAC Funding Brings New Building to the 917th Wing

by Capt. Newman Robertson
917th Wing Public Affairs

11/24/2008 - BARKSDALE AFB, La. -- When the 47th Fighter Squadron acquired eight new A-10s and additional manpower as a result of the Air Force's reorganization and the subsequent closing of the 926th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, more space was needed to accommodate the extra equipment and personnel.

"Because of the additional aircrew we picked up, we were authorized an additional 7,000 square feet of space," said Master Sgt. Carl Whitaker, NCOIC, Aircrew Flight Equipment, "Over 5,000 of it went to aircrew flight equipment and the rest went to the men's and women's locker rooms, as well as an electrical room for the Civil Engineers."

"Working out of the trailers has been ok, but the new facility is going to be awesome" he added. The new facility was designed with the anticipation of the 47th Fighter Squadron going combat coded in 2010, and will include more storage areas and larger classrooms to accommodate the various types of training the pilots must do.

"We designed a storage area in the back of the building with roll up doors that will allow us to store our cadillac bins, a specific type of storage bin for additional assets for deployments, space savers, and chemical warfare equipment," said Sergeant Whitaker. "We also have a night vision goggle room for the pilots to adjust their night vision goggles," said Tech. Sgt. Andre Menard, Technician, Aircrew Flight Equipment.

The 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron also gained an addition to its training facility as well. "The new building has a huge break room, a training room with computers set up solely for training, a conference room, and offices for the maintenance officer, superintendant, and production supervisors," said Senior Master Sgt. Hollis Reeves, Flight Chief, 717th AMXS. "The rear of the building is curved because the A-10's needed wing tip clearance to get into the hangar," he added.

Both buildings, which were funded through BRAC money received in 2005, will provide the much needed space to allow members of the 47th FS and the 717th AMXS to train more efficiently and effectively.



The new 717th AMXS building will have a huge break room, a training room with computers set up solely for training, a conference room, and offices for the maintenance officer, superintendant, and production supervisors. The rear of the building is curved because the A-10's needed wing tip clearance to get into the hangar. (U.S. Air Force photo) Hi-res

Source

Intel: Four more A-10 replacements enroute to Bagram?

By Joachim Jacob

According to the Scramble Messageboard, probably over the last weekend four more A-10s passed through Lajes Field, Azores, and Sigonella, Sicily, for stopovers enroute to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, as additional replacements due to partial A-10 groundings. At the moment, I'm very busy to get some more related first-hand info like serial numbers and pictures.

Please note: That's a breaking news. I will make updates if further info is available.

Lajes spotter photo update

By Joachim Jacob

From Leandro Rocha (Portugal) I got the kind permission to post his following rare shot, first published yesterday on JetPhotos.Net:



By arrival for stopover at Lajes Field, Azores, on September 8, 2008, A-10C 79-0192 from the 74th Fighter Squadron made an emergency landing due to some engine problems. The aircraft, currently deployed with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, is towed to the ramp with the fire services just behind. (Photo by Leandro Rocha / Azoresairphotos.com)

BTW: I'm still in the process to make stronger personal contacts to Lajes photographers. That would be very helpful, especially in case of my intention to document all A-10 OEF and OIF combat deployments. And as well known, photo proofs are very important for the history books.

Juggling act: Maintenance and operations groups cooperate to complete A-10 inspections

by Tech. Sgt. Leo Brown
442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/20/2008 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Citizen Airmen in the maintenance and operations groups are becoming professional jugglers these days.

Complying with an Air Force-issued time-compliance technical order from early October, the 442nd Maintenance Group is inspecting and repairing fatigue-related wing cracks in 11 of the unit's 27 A-10s. Most of the affected aircraft have "thin-skin" wings, installed during original manufacture.

Throughout the Air Force, roughly 130 A-10s are affected by the order. While there is no firm date for when the inspections will be completed, immediate demands are never-ending.

With pilots' mandatory combat currencies and aircraft phase inspections - done every 500 flying hours - needing to be met, the demand for cooperation between the maintenance and operations communities has never been higher. Reservists in the 442nd, however, are meeting that challenge.

"Operations and maintenance work together so well in the 442nd Fighter Wing," said Col. John Hoff, 442nd Operations Group commander. "There's no issue we can't work out. I've been here over 15 years and I think it's the best relationship in the combat Air Force. There's give and take on both sides and everyone wins in the end."

"Operations gives us their requirements - their types of missions - and we tell them how many aircraft we have available," said Tech. Sgt. Melissa Alexander, aircraft maintenance scheduler with the 442nd Maintenance Operations Flight. "You never fly more than half your fleet and ops has been working with us to cut back what they can.

"We've lost a couple sorties here and there," she said. "Things happen. They're old aircraft, but we're juggling everything and still maintaining what we need to. We don't want all the aircraft coming in for phase (inspections) at once. The biggest thing is the crew chiefs and the sheet-metal guys and the R and R (repair and reclamation) guys - they're making the mission happen. Everyone's taking pride in what we're doing."

Simply creating the opportunity to assess the severity of a crack can be quite a process, according to Senior Master Sgt. Cary Brown, inspection flight chief for the 442nd Maintenance Squadron.

"You have to remove the aft landing pod assembly," he said. "Just to inspect it is a day's work and that includes work from several shops. Once we have everything removed, it's pretty simple. (The) structures (shop) removes some fasteners and NDI (non-destructive inspection) puts in their probe to look for cracks. We'll then put in an engineering assistance request and give the information we find to the A-10 depot at Hill (Air Force Base, Utah). They'll send us back information on what we need to do next."

The coordination between various shops - fabrication, repair and reclamation, metals, structural maintenance, and the crew chief's community, among others - and the dedication of the Airmen involved have brought praise from several wing leaders.

"Our maintainers are the best in the world," said Col. Mark Clemons, 442nd Fighter Wing commander. "They've taken the initiative on something that looked like dire straits for us and turned it to where we're in the best position of any A-10 organization right now. Everybody knows what's going on and they have a game plan for the rest of our wing's fleet. We're doing things smart and it's a testament to what Gen. (John) Bradley and Gen. (Charles) Stenner have said - we have the best maintainers in the world here."

General Bradley, who recently retired as chief of the Air Force Reserve, led the 442nd Fighter Wing from 1989-1993. General Stenner assumed command of AFRC in June. He commanded the 442nd Fighter Wing from 1997-1998.

"Our wing has Airmen who have so much talent," said Lt. Col. Anne Yelderman, 442nd Maintenance Squadron commander. "They are truly master craftsmen. It's absolutely incredible to watch them as they gather and feed-back information as they're teaching and learning. They're at the heart-beat of how to solve this problem, which has far-reaching implications across the entire fleet."

Regardless of what happens at other A-10 units, confidence is sky-high that 442nd Fighter Wing Airmen will keep doing what they've been doing, according to Colonel Vander Linden.

"We're here to produce safe, flyable airplanes to get the mission done and we'll keep on doing that," he said.

Only one of the three associated pictures:



Staff Sgt. Micah Gaches inspects the wing of an A-10 Thunderbolt II for cracks on November 9, 2008, in the 442nd Maintenance Group's 5-Bay Hangar. The inspections are mandatory throughout certain A-10s in the entire fleet due to a time-compliance technical order, which was issued in October. Organization, planning and skill in the maintenance group has minimized the impact on the wing's flying operations. Sergeant Gaches is an aircraft structural technician in the 442nd Maintenance Squadron, part of the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit based at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res

Source (Released today)

Base wide exercise at Moody

Latest A-10 imagery, released today on 23rd Wing's public website:



Maintainers from the 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare A-10C 79-0189 from the 74th Fighter Squadron for an engine run after installing a new engine at Moody AFB, Georgia, on November 20, 2008. The maintainers are dressed in a mission-oriented protective posture ensemble for a base wide exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Barker) Hi-res

Inscriptions bellow the canopy:
PLT: Capt Rodney Curtis
DCC: SSgt Timothy Parker
ACC: A1C Joseph Blount



Tech. Sgt. Thomas Gibson, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, reads a technical order to Airman 1st Class Todd Padgett, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit propulsion apprentice, while preparing A-10C 79-0189 from the 74th Fighter Squadron for an engine run at Moody AFB, Georgia, on November 20, 2008. The Airmen still have real-world duties they must perform during an exercise while being required to wear the mission-oriented protective postures ensemble. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Barker) Hi-res



Airman 1st Class Todd Padgett, 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit propulsion apprentice, prepares A-10C 79-0189 from the 74th Fighter Squadron for an engine run at Moody AFB, Georgia, on November 20, 2008. Airman Padgett dressed in a mission-oriented protective posture ensemble for an exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Barker) Hi-res



Tech. Sgt. Thomas Gibson, crew chief, and Airman 1st Class Todd Padgett, propulsion apprentice, both members of the 75th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, run to a simulated bunker to take cover while alarm red sounds during a base wide exercise at Moody AFB, Georgia, on November 20, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Barker) Hi-res



Senior Airman Joshua Winchell, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, A-10C Thunderbolt II crew chief, dons a gas mask while working on the aircraft at Moody AFB, Georgia, on November 20, 2008. Airman Winchell participated in a base wide exercise that required players to dress in mission-oriented protective postures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Barker) Hi-res

Nov. 17 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

The following picture was released today on USAF's public main website as part of the "Nov. 17 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities". This additional picture is part of a well-known air refueling photo series, and some other shots are already released by USAF and also posted on my blog.



A-10 80-0272 from the 74th Fighter Squadron, currently deployed as a replacement with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, flies a combat mission over Afghanistan on November 7, 2008. A-10Cs from the 75th EFS provide close air support and employ a wide variety of ordnance, including Mk 82 general purpose bombs (visible on stations 5/7) and GBU-38 JDAMs (visible on stations 4/8). Please remember: Capt. Brian "Snap" Curland from the 175th Wing, Maryland ANG, made history when he dropped the first Joint Direct Attack Munition from the newly upgraded A-10C in combat over Iraq on September 19, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res

Intel: Two more 75th EFS A-10s enroute to Spang?

By Joachim Jacob

According to latest European aircraft spotter info, two more 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10s are enroute from Bagram AB, Afghanistan, to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for inspections and repairs - related to the current partial A-10 groundings. Their arrival is expected for today, Tuesday, November 18, 2008.

This is a breaking news. I will make updates if further info is available.

75th EFS photo update

By Joachim Jacob

Today, from my newest European spotter friend João Toste (Portugal) I got the kind permission to post his following outstanding shot, published for first time just some hours ago on Azoresairphotos.com:



Six of the originally twelve deployed 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10s after their arrival for stopover at Lajes Field, Azores, on September 8, 2008. From left to right: 78-0679 (75th FS), 78-0697 (74th FS), 80-0140 (74th FS), 79-0186 (75th FS), 79-0179 (74th FS), 80-0149 (75th FS). (Photo by João Toste / Azoresairphotos.com)

Over the weekend, from João I already got some more of his related shots as hi-res versions for private use only. But I can tell you: Thanks to those pics, all of the twelve originally deployed 75th EFS A-10s are identified now also by their 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons assignments. That's very helpful for me, especially related to my intention to document all A-10 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom combat deployments.

Check my updated latest entry in A-10 Units of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Idaho Air Guard colonel flying high as new commander of 124th Wing

James R. Compton oversees the aircraft and 1,300 members of the unit with enthusiasm and humor.

Idaho Statesman
By Katy Moeller
Edition Date: 11/12/08

Idaho Air National Guard Col. James R. "JR" Compton grew up working in his family's commercial moving and storage business in Boise, but he always dreamed of becoming a pilot.

He often saw or heard planes from Gowen Field flying over the Compton Transfer & Storage metal warehouse off South Broadway.

"The big old jet after-burners would rattle things in there," Compton said.

Today, the 50-year-old Boise native is responsible for all those Guard jets and the roughly 1,300 members of the 124th Wing.

Compton, a pilot whose career in the Idaho National Guard spans 26 years, officially assumed command of the wing in September.

He's had a variety of leadership positions at the wing over the past decade, including chief of safety, operations group commander, maintenance group commander and vice wing commander.

He succeeds Brig. Gen. Richard Johnson, who served as wing commander for four years before becoming a project officer at the National Guard Bureau.

The Guard is very different than when Compton joined a quarter-century ago.

"I was thinking if I ever saw a day of combat, it would be rare," he said. "Now I've been in combat eight times. It's a more dangerous world. We used to be the reserves - we're only going to call you if we can't handle it. Now the Guard is one of the front-line fighting units."

Higher demands and expectations have been good for the Guard, Compton said. Equipment and training has improved.

"In the old days, we used to get the hand-me-down equipment," he said.

About 150 members of the 124th are currently deployed. They are in a variety of places, including Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in Africa as part of the war on terror and drugs, Compton said.

In the early 1990s, the 124th Wing was deployed to Saudi Arabia and began combat patrols in the southern no-fly zone of Iraq.

Compton's combat experience includes the first night of attacks leading to the U.S. occupation of Iraq in 2003.

"The first night of 'shock and awe,' I was up over Baghdad in an A-10. I was part of the 'awe,' " said Compton, who was then squadron commander for an A-10 unit that had been involved in patrolling no-fly zones in Iraq.

The single-seat, twin-engine A-10, also called the "Warthog," is highly effective at taking out tanks, mobile missile launchers and other ground targets.

Members of Compton's unit were waiting for a replacement unit when they learned they would need to prepare for full-out combat in Iraq.

"We were ready for it. We are very prepared for these types of conflicts," Compton said.

Compton has a reputation as a skilled pilot who doesn't lose his sense of humor when focused on a mission.

"He was always a jovial, fun guy to be around. He can have fun getting the mission done," said Col. Richard Turner, who got to know Compton during deployments to Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Chief Master Sgt. Pete Glick said Compton is full of energy and cares deeply for the Guard's mission, its members and their families.

"What makes JR JR is kind of an odd sense of humor," said Glick, who works at Joint Force Headquarters for the Army and Air National Guard. "He finds humor in most everything. He has a sense of humor about himself."

Compton joined the Guard in 1982, when he was in his mid-20s, married and working part-time at his family's business.

He had explored the possibility of joining the Air Force and Navy; his dad was a Navy pilot. But after a friend at BSU told him he should check out the Air Guard, he soon realized it offered the best fit for what he wanted to do.

"What attracted me was I thought I could have my cake and eat it, too - I could go fly jets with the Air Guard and work with my family, too," Compton said.

But his take-off in the Guard didn't go exactly as planned. He applied for flight training school but wasn't accepted.

"I thought I had the right stuff," he said. "I was way bummed."

His dad assured him that other opportunities would come along. And one did, but not what he expected.

A slot in the navigator training program opened up, and he had to decide if he wanted to be among the four considered for the position. At the time, he didn't want to be a navigator.

He was selected for navigator training and found it fascinating, particularly celestial navigation. He was trained in weapons operation in the RF-4C Phantom, which flew Cold War reconnaissance missions, and was certified as a combat-ready crew member of the 190th Fighter Squadron in 1984.

After about four years in the Guard, he applied to go to flight school. The age limit to enter pilot training was 30. He was 29 years old at the time. But he got in, and his navigator training came in handy.

"I had 500 hours flying in a high-speed supersonic jet already," Compton said. "I knew way more than most of my peers, just because I had been flying for so long already."

He graduated from flight training in 1986 and became a full-time Guardsman in 1987, assigned to be an instructor pilot for the 189th RTU (Replacement Training Unit).

In 1990, he was selected for the prestigious U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School.

He became a weapons and tactics officer for the 190th Fighter Squadron and later learned to fly the F-4G "Wild Weasel."

The wing converted to the A-10 "Warthog" and C-130 "Hercules" in 1996.

Compton has logged more than 4,000 flight hours. The aircraft he's flown include the T-37, T-38 and RF-4C.

He still flies at least five times each month to keep up his skills. And he's still a partner in his family's 106-year-old business with his brothers, Brett and Scott, and sister, Mary Kay.

"We talk about it all the time. I don't really get involved in it," he said. "I'm too busy."



Col. James R. Compton, who took command of the Idaho Air Guard's 124th Wing in September, heads to the flight line before a recent training sortie. (Photo by Chris Butler / Idaho Statesman)



Col. James R. Compton jokes with fellow pilots in the Life Support Room prior to a training sortie last week. (Photy by Chris Butler / Idaho Statesman)

Source

Col. James R. Compton's official online biography

The "Hog" drops in on history

by Master Sgt. Joy Josephson
46th Test Wing

11/14/2008 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Warthog and known for its close-air support superiority and the ability to carry large and varied ordnance, is now on its way to delivering a new capability to the warfighter.

A pilot from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with support from people with the 46th Test Wing, Boeing and a host of other units, flew a quick yet historic mission early in November. For the first time, a guided bomb unit-54, the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, or LJDAM, was dropped from an A-10C.

"There is a strong need to destroy moving targets in the AOR," said Capt. Kirt Cassell, the lead A-10C flight test engineer. "The Laser JDAM has shown to be very effective at destroying moving targets on other (aircraft) and Air Combat Command (officials) wanted to bring that capability to the A-10C for an upcoming deployment."

Captain Cassell and team members from the 40th FTS began planning this test mission in early October. That's a short timeline for a test mission, according to Captain Cassell. Plus, the team was challenged with ensuring the LJDAM worked correctly. To do this, the plan was to drop the bomb on a GPS target and then lase the weapon to another target downrange.

"The test was very successful!" Captain Cassell said. "The weapon functioned properly and released successfully, impacting the target almost exactly where the laser spot was located. We were able to demonstrate that the GBU-54 can successfully be integrated and dropped from the A-10C."

Maj. Matthew Domsalla piloted the historic mission. He's been flying the A-10 for more than eight years and knows that this added capability will make the A-10C even more lethal and more valuable to warfighters needing some firepower assistance.

"The LJDAM provides the pilot the ability to update the targeting if the target moves while the weapon is in flight," he said.

The A-10C has already demonstrated tremendous capability in supporting the war on terrorism. According to Lt. Col. Evan Dertien, the 40th Flight Test Squadron commander, putting this bomb on the aircraft "will give the A-10 an outstanding precision targeting capability that will help the Air Force continue to provide precision engagement."

And while making Air Force history is a great feeling for the 40th team, Colonel Dertien says the rewards of a successful test are more far reaching.

"When the weapons are proven in combat and you get feedback from the deployed flying units that a capability worked as expected and made a difference in the fight, that's the big payoff," he said.

The next step for the A-10C and LJDAM is to undergo operational tests to develop tactics and techniques for employing the weapon. If those tests prove to go as well as the first, Eglin's test team may have their feedback as early as January. The goal is to have this new precision capability deployed to the area of operations by early 2009.



Maj. Matthew Domsalla, flying A-10C 79-0177 on November 5, 2008, makes the first ever drop of a Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, or LJDAM, from an A-10. This test proved a successful integration of the munition with the A-10, allowing for an outstanding precision targeting capability that will help Air Force aircrews continue to provide effective air support to coalition ground troops. Major Domsalla is with the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joy Josephson) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0177, piloted by Maj. Matthew Domsalla, flies over what's left of a target November 5, 2008, that was successfully hit by a Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition dropped by Major Domsalla. This was the first time an LJDAM weapon was dropped from an A-10. The successful test moved this weapon capability for the A-10 closer to fielding for warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joy Josephson) Hi-res



Maj. Matthew Domsalla flies A-10C 79-0177 back to Eglin AFB, Florida, on November 5, 2008, after successfully completing an historic ordnance delivery test mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joy Josephson) Hi-res

Edited source (posted by me), Original source

The GBU-54 is the U.S. Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting system that uses a combination of GPS and laser guidance to accurately engage and destroy moving targets. Their first combat use is decomented by the news article Balad warfighters unleash new weapon against mobile insurgent targets. Only one of the associated pictures:



Staff Sgts. Michael Jackson and Anthony Bagen align a 500-pound GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition before connecting it to an F-16C Fighting Falcon at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, on August 14, 2008. Two F-16 pilots with the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron executed the first-ever combat employment of a GBU-54 on August 12, 2008, against a moving enemy vehicle in Diyala province to support a combined Iraqi army and U.S. Marine operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson) Hi-res

See also the related Boeing news release Boeing Delivers 1st Laser JDAMs

81st Fighter Squadron's Warthog upgrade lauded

By Mark Abramson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, November 14, 2008



SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany — The grunt's best friend in the sky — the A-10 Warthog — is getting some new teeth to help take out the enemy.

All 24 Warthogs, or Thunderbolt IIs as they are officially called, in the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem are slated to be upgraded to the A-10C model as part of an Air Force-wide program.

Eight of the squadron's planes have been almost completely overhauled in Belgium and another 13 are in the shop for the work. The price tag for improving the 81st's A-10s is $286 million.

Although the work involves tearing down the plane, the only noticeable exterior difference between the new A-10 variant is a few added antennas.

Most of the squadron's pilots have already been trained on the C model, and the squadron has had to borrow A-10s from Reserve and National Guard units in the States to stay proficient in the aircraft while its planes are being improved.

"With the new capabilities, we are able to do so much more and faster," A-10 pilot 1st Lt. Priscilla Giddings said.

The 81st pilots will put their revamped Thunderbolts to use when they deploy to Afghanistan in September. They head to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., in June to train with Special Forces units.

Giddings never flew the older A-10, but her boss, the squadron's commander Lt. Col. T.J. Hogan — call sign Raptor — said he has been around long enough that he can marvel about what the makeover has done for the aging aircraft.

The improvements include new F-15- and F-16-like flight controllers so pilots can keep their eyes on the sky and their targets without having to fumble through switches on their instrument panels; new computer systems, including a multifunctional display with a color map; and the ability to carry satellite-guided bombs and other smart weapons.

"The C model now means we are a new plane," Hogan said.

"I love it, the capabilities are phenomenal," Hogan added. "The information we can pass to each other [over a data link] is cool."

(Photo by Mark Abramson / S&S)
Source

Stand-alone A-10 OEF shot

Today, USAF released the following picture, related to a previous photo essay "Flying high in the sky", see Latest A-10 OEF combat imagery:



A two-ship A-10 Thunderbolt II formation flies a combat mission over Afghanistan on November 7, 2008. The aircraft are A-10 79-0135 (foreground) and A-10 80-0272, both from the 74th Fighter Squadron and currently deployed with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res

Air support unites Airmen, Soldiers in Afghanistan

by Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
Air Forces Central news team

11/13/2008 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers now assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team meet Airmen responsible for close-air-support missions and toured the Bagram Airfield flightline to see the aircraft up close Oct. 28.

Pennsylvania National Guard Bravo Company 3rd/103 Mechanized Infantry Soldiers deployed in Afghanistan fought their way out of more than 55 firefights in 4.5 months, and in those life and death situations A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles pilots were high overhead to respond to their calls for close-air support.

"It is awesome that they came by. We don't get to do that as much as we would like to," said Capt. Dylan Thorpe, a 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot and former F-15 weapon system operator. "We just talk to them on the radio."

As Army Spc. Kevin King, a native of Bellefont, Pa., climbed the ladder to peer into an A-10 cockpit, he couldn't help but smile.

"It ain't often you get to be this close," he said. "I have never been this close to a jet."

Even though the pilots and weapon system operators showcasing their aircraft weren't the Airmen who fended off the Soldier's enemies, the two groups spent a great deal of time comparing their battlefield perspectives.

"When we were hunkering down getting hit from every side, we thought for sure we were dead," said Army Specialist Don McGill, a native of Kingston, Pa. "But, as soon as you guys come over head (the enemy) is gone. Without air support, we couldn't have done a lot of things we did."

For the Air Force officers, this opportunity provided a chance to put faces with voices they typically only hear on a radio.

"This was a humbling experience," said Capt. Scott Crowell, a 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-15 pilot. "Talking with these guys makes me understand how valuable our training is and helps me appreciate the danger they face when they are outside the wire on a daily basis. It makes me proud to see they are interested in talking to us."

Captain Crowell, deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, was not the only one who appreciated the efforts of their sister servicemembers.

"When we hear the jets take off, the sound never gets old," Specialist King said. "When you're in a bad situation and you hear the A-10 whistle by, it is just a relief. It takes a lot of pressure off your chest."

To Captain Thorpe, being able to stop the enemy so the Soldiers can return home is what his job is all about.

"When I go out there, it really boils down to getting a guy home to his family," said Captain Thorpe, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "They come first; we really live that. We are here to serve the ground guys, that is what we do every day."

These Airmen may not have been the same who provided protection for the Soldiers from above, but that didn't stop the Soldiers from sharing their appreciation.

"It is nice to get to meet the people who are out there to support us, especially since we were in all of our firefights," Specialist King said. "I appreciate being able to thank them for basically being out there to save our lives. Thanks for being there and helping us out whenever we need help and being there when ever we call."

Specialist King was not the only one with words of thanks to share.

"Thank you. Thank you for being there. Thank you for your support," Specialist McGill said to the pilots. "There were numerous times we were under fire, and it brings a whole new outlook on life. I will go home, and I will appreciate life a lot more."



Capt. Scott Crowell talks with Pennsylvania Army National Guard Sgt. Adam Kerns, Staff Sgt. Stephen Wertz and 1st Lt. David Jarrett during an Oct. 28 visit to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Members from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron hosted the Soldiers who wanted to thank the pilots who protect ground forces with close-air support while engaged in firefights with enemy forces. Captain Crowell is an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot. Pictured is A-10 79-0192 from the 74th FS, currently deployed with the 75th EFS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown) Hi-res



Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers Sgt. Mervin Hengst (left) and Staff Sgt. Donald Zerbe (right) learn about the A-10 Thunderbolt II from Capt. Robert Burdette during an Oct. 28 visit to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Members from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron hosted the Soldiers who wanted to thank the pilots who protect ground forces with close-air support while engaged in firefights with enemy forces. Pictured is A-10 80-0226 from the 74th FS, currently deployed with the 75th EFS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown) Hi-res

Source

Operation Enduring Freedom A-10 photo update

By Joachim Jacob

Currently, I'm very busy to make some new personal contacts to European aircraft spotters for tracking the A-10 Thunderbolt II on ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom combat deployments to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Every Hog which deploy to the CENTCOM AOR for Bagram AB will made a first stopover at Lajes Field, Azores. In this case, spotters and photographers at Lajes Field are my main sources. They publish their very helpful info mainly on the Scramble Message Board topic Lajes (Azores)(LPLA/TER) 2008 and also on Azoresairphotos.com.

The next stopover point for A-10s enroute Afghanistan is Naval Air Station Sigonella, Cicily, followed by Al Udeid AB, Qatar (hosted by the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing).

They return to CONUS on the same procedure.

Today, from João Toste (Portugal) I got the kind written permission to post his following outstanding shot, already published on Azoresairphotos.com:



A-10 78-0674, marked 74 FS, lands on Lajes Airfield's runway 33 on September 8, 2008, enroute to Afghanistan as part of the currently deployed 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. (Photo by João Toste)

Special thanks to João Toste for permission to post his exclusive photo on my blog!

Photo update

Today, from my German spotter friend Johnny I got the permission to post and hotlink two of his latest shots from Spangdahlem AB. Check: Two combat-deployed 75th EFS A-10s relocate from Bagram to Spang

D-M pilots participate in annual Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB

by Airman 1st Class Jamie L. Coggan
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/10/2008 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- A-10 Thunderbolt pilots from the 355th Fighter Wing here participated in the 33rd annual Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, from Oct. 20 through Oct. 31.

Red Flag 09-1, an advanced aerial combat training exercise hosted at Nellis AFB and Eielson AFB, Alaska, allowed approximately 1,600 military members from the United Sates, Greece, Spain and Singapore air forces to train together for two weeks in a combat training exercise on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, located north of Las Vegas.

"Red Flag provides the venue for U.S. Forces and its allies to prepare for actual combat by participating in some of the most realistic combat training operations offered anywhere in the world," said Maj. Gavin McHenry, team chief for Red Flag 09-1. "We have had an excellent two weeks of flying at RF9-1 and we have set a new precedent in CSAR training integration."

Since 1975, air crew from the United States Air Force and other U.S. military branches and allies have taken part in Red Flag exercises, each of which is six weeks in duration.

The more than 80 aircraft that flew during Red Flag 09-1 include the F-16 Fighting Falcons from Greece and Singapore, the EF-18 Hornets from Spain, the F-15 Eagles, the A-10 Thunderbolts, the KC-135 Stratotankers and several command and control aircraft.

A typical flag exercise year includes one Green Flag (a close air support exercise with the Army), one Canadian Maple Flag (operated by Canadian Forces Air Command) and four Red Flags. Each Red Flag exercise normally involves a variety of fighter interdiction, attack, air superiority, defense suppression, airlift, air refueling and reconnaissance missions. In a 12-month period, more than 500 aircraft fly more than 20,000 sorties, while training more than 5,000 aircrews and 14,000 support and maintenance personnel.

"Future exercises will surely benefit from the lessons learned during these operations. As a result of all the training accomplished over the past 10 days, I believe our aviators and the rest of our participants are much better prepared for real-world theater operations," said Major McHenry. "It has been a great opportunity to be the Team Chief for Red Flag 9-1."

The mission of the 414th Combat Training Squadron is to increase combat readiness and survival skills of participants by providing a realistic training environment that encourages a free exchange of ideas.

Source

Depot team provides A-10C maintainers hands-on training

by Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
23rd Wing Public Affairs

11/10/2008 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Approximately five members of a depot maintenance team arrived at Moody Nov. 12 and provided A-10C Thunderbolt II maintainers hands-on training to perform major crack repairs on the aircraft.

The team came from Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where all C-130 Hercules aircraft, A-10s and F-16 Fighting Falcons go for maintenance. The depot team performs extensive and heavy maintenance that cannot be done at the unit level.

"The goal of the depot team was to teach maintainers how to repair major cracks so that grounded A-10s can be returned to flying status," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Andrews, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation section chief. "Each depot team member had an A-10 to repair so they could show how major repairs are done and allow Airmen to apply what they learned."

Moody has more than 10 A-10s that have to be repaired and returned to flying status, said Sergeant Andrews.

In addition to Moody maintainers, there were 40 active duty, Reserve and Guard maintainers from several bases including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nellis AFB, Nev., Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., who received training to bring back to their bases.

All the A-10 maintainers comprised of five different Air Force specialties to include repair and reclamation, metals technology, sheet metal technology, nondestructive inspection and crew chiefs.

"It would cost too much to fly all the aircraft to Hill," said Master Sgt. Steve Grimes, Air Combat Command Headquarters A-10 maintenance liaison. "It would also take longer to repair all since three could only be sent at a time. This method is more cost-effective and it would be a faster way to repair the A-10s."

The Ogden Air Logistics Center has responsibilities for Air Force-wide item management, depot-level overhaul and repair for all types of landing gear, wheels, brakes and tires and is the logistics manager for all conventional air munitions, solid propellants and explosive devices used throughout the Air Force. The center is the Air Force technical repair center for composites.

The team concentrated on teaching trunnion removal and sheet metal repair. The trunnion is the attachment point of the main landing gear and wing, which receives stress that causes cracks.

"The whole process has been surprisingly effective and swift," said Sergeant Andrews. "Although, there is no definite time of when all grounded A-10s will be fixed, the newly-trained maintainers have the proper training to immediately start teaching and repairing their own A-10s.

"We want the A-10s to be properly repaired as soon as possible so that they are mission-capable in support of the Global War on Terrorism," he added.



Forty Airmen from eight bases begin the task of simultaneously preparing five A-10C models for wing section repair at Moody AFB on November 7, 2008. Visible in the foreground is A-10 79-0159 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. Airmen not assigned to Moody will learn how to repair the A-10C wing section and return home station to share this knowledge within their units. In order to accomplish these repairs, Airmen must climb into tiny compartments within the wing to reach certain areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Javier Cruz) Hi-res

Source

Two combat-deployed 75th EFS A-10s relocate from Bagram to Spang

By Joachim Jacob

Updated on November 11, 2008

On November 8, 2008, A-10s 80-0140 and 80-0149 from the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, currently deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, arrived at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, probably for inspections or repairs due to the partial A-10 grounding. The following screenshot shows first pictures of their arrival, already published on Photaviaworks.com (c) D. Ankovic / Photoaviaworks.com).





A-10 80-0140 from the 74th Fighter Squadron arrives at Spangdahlem AB. (Photo by Dalibor Ankovic / Photaviaworks.com)



A-10 80-0149 from the 75th Fighter Squadron arrives at Spangdahlem AB. (Photo by Dalibor Ankovic / Photaviaworks.com)

Special thanks to Dalibor for his permission to post his pictures!




A-10 80-0140 from the 74th Fighter Squadron arrives at Spangdahlem AB. (Photo by Johnny Chocholaty / jc-images.de)



A-10 80-0149 from the 75th Fighter Squadron arrives at Spangdahlem AB. (Photo by Johnny Chocholaty / jc-images.de)

Special thanks also to Johnny for his kind permission to post his shots!


For some more specific background info please check: Thunderbolts, grounded by Hill, on the mend

This source states:

[...] A small number, including the four which received a one-time flight authorization from Afghanistan to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will need more extensive repairs.

Those fixes may take as long as two months. [...]

According to that, it could be possible two more Moody Hogs will relocate from Bagram to Spang in the next couple of days...

Latest A-10 OEF Combat Imagery

As a big surprise, on November 7, 2008, the following four brand-new pictures (all taken during CAS mission air refuelings over Afghanistan on November 7, 2008) were released on USAF's public main website as photo essay Flying high in the sky.



A-10 80-0272 Hi-res



A-10 80-0272 Hi-res



A-10 79-0135 Hi-res



A-10 79-0135 Hi-res

(U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

Source

Note: Originally, both aircraft were not deployed with the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to Bagram AB. They are two of four replacements to fulfill some gaps because of current A-10 groundings. According to the Scramble Messageboard, they arrived at Lajes Field on October 22, and at Sigonella as Trend 41 flight on October 29.

U.S. Air Force accepts painting from local artist

The Bristol Press

November 6, 2008 10:35 PM EST
By Sarah Wilson, Press Staff

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth native Raymond White recently had his 12th painting accepted into the U.S. Air Force art collection at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. attended by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff.

"It's quite a big deal to actually ever get a painting accepted," White said.

The honored painting, "Last Mission," portrays 1st Lt. Brian Boeding of the 103rd TFW from East Granby standing with his A-10 Thunderbolt before his last mission in Iraq.

The painting took White four years to complete.

White began creating military art during the Vietnam War, as a combat illustrator for the "Gunfighter Gazette."

White is the owner of Artworks Art Center, Home of the Nutmeg Artists, in Plymouth.

"My bread and butter is helping kids," White said.

He teaches painting and other art forms to youth with autism and attention deficit disorder.

Source

The painting was already published (and probably for first time ever) by the Hartford Courant on September 21, 2008:



... together with the following picture and info:



Raymond White of Plymouth was a combat illustrator for the Gunfighter Gazette, while in DaNang, Vietnam, and is a member of the United States Air Force art program. As a member of this program, he is one of only 150 eminent artists nationwide charged with the long tradition of recording, for posterity, the historical record of aviation history from World War I to present day.

His painting on the cover, "The Last Mission," depicts Lt. Brian Boeding of the Connecticut 103rd Fighter Wing with his A-10, serving in the Iraq War.

Note: This painting is related to the 103rd FW's Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment to the 387th Air Expeditionary Group at Prince Hassan Air Base (H5), Kingdom of Jordan. Depicted is A-10 81-0960. For more details about this deployment check my factfile A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part II.

Ray's paintings can be viewed on the U.S. Air Force Art Collection Website in the following section

Ray's online bio

Flying Tigers reunion

The Valdosta Daily Times

Published November 06, 2008 11:52 pm
By Matt Flumerfelt

MOODY AFB — Flying Tigers attending the 23rd Wing's 66th anniversary reunion Thursday at Moody Air Force Base's Grand Bay Range were given a spectacular reception.

Under clear skies on a balmy afternoon surrounded by fall foliage, active and retired members, their families and guests were treated to a combat search and rescue simulation using live ammunition.

The demonstration of Moody's combat search and rescue capabilities was attended by dozens of veterans, some of whom had flown with the fabled 23rd Wing in China before the American Volunteer Group (AVG) was assimilated by the U.S. 14th Air Force in July of 1942.

The demonstration at Grand Bay Range simulated a search and rescue mission involving a downed airman. The injured F-18 pilot was concealed in some underbrush, according to the script read over the loudspeakers as the plot unfolded for the assembled crowd. The downed pilot was supposed to have been injured and had reported enemy ground troops in the area.

He had begun to treat his injuries while waiting for his eventual rescue. The 23rd Wing's mission was to rescue the pilot and return him safely to friendly territory. The task force was told to expect significant resistance from enemy ground forces, including the threat of surface-to-air missiles.

About that time, seemingly from out of nowhere, a couple of A-10 Thunderbolt II's swooped in low to the right of the assembled spectators and strafed the area with their GAU-8 30 mm avenger cannons. The range erupted in a barrage of dust as the ammunition struck the target area. The noise from the cannons couldn't be heard until well after the ammunition struck the range. A smoky Sam — a simulated surface-to-air missile — burst from the staging area in front of the grandstand as the aircraft used a combination of defensive maneuvers and infrared counter-measure flares to demonstrate how the task force defeats hostile attempts to down their aircraft.

The whole event lasted about an hour and demonstrated a wide range of weaponry as well as the rescue capability of the Jolly Greens — 60HG Pave Hawk helicopters. Captain Nick Dicapua explained some of the armaments carried by the A-10's such as TV guided and Infra Red guided missiles, Maverick air-to-ground missiles, and Mark 80 II and IV laser guided and GPS guided bombs. Altogether, these aircraft can carry about 16,000 pounds of ordnance. The demonstration also included HC-130 transports used to extend the range of combat search and rescue helicopters by providing air refueling in hostile or contested airspace if required. The downed airman was eventually rescued as the two helicopters hovered overhead, pulling him in with a hoist attached to a stretcher as the medics who had rappelled down a rope earlier to assist climbed back into their helicopter using a long rope ladder.

One of the attendees Thursday afternoon was Odell Leonard, accompanied by his son. Leonard had originally joined the AVG in China and said he attends all these reunions. "It seems to me they have these operations down to a science," Leonard stated. "They didn't have any of this stuff back in my day," the former fighter pilot observed.

The Tigers' shark-faced fighters are still some of the most recognizable combat aircraft of World War II. Its original members were former United States Navy, Army and Marine Corps pilots and ground crew recruited and commanded by Claire Chennault with tacit approval by Franklin Roosevelt to aid China during the Sino-Japanese War (1937-45). An unpublished executive order went out under Roosevelt's signature authorizing reserve officers and enlisted men to resign from the Army Air Corps, Naval and Marine air services for the purpose of joining the American Volunteer group in China. Chennault, who was something of a maverick, called upon a small cadre of Americans who knew and loved him from their service in the U.S. Army Air Corps — most notably, "Luke" Williamson and Billy McDonald — to help organize what became the 23rd Fighter Wing. They had been Chennault's wingmen in the Flying Trapeze, an army precision-flying team that prefigured the Thunderbirds of today.

Source

Guard shows stuff at Camp Robinson

Jacksonville Patriot

By Bill Lawson, Staff Writer
Friday, October 31, 2008 1:53 PM CDT

The chief of the Air National Guard and business leaders from seven states watched in awe Thursday afternoon at Camp Robinson's All-American Drop Zone as Arkansas and Kentucky National Guard members displayed their capability to capture an airfield and defend it.

Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, a native of Florida and recently named as chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, said he was impressed with the demonstration and thought the business leaders were also.

He said the need for employer support of Guard members is at an all-time high.

"We're at war, and it's a long war," McKinley said. "We've got to continue to outreach to the community."

One message the general said he tells employers is that guardsmen bring sought-after characteristics to any job.

"The National Guard brings great qualities to the work force — the military work force and the civilian work force," McKinley said. "We're a drug-free organization. We have high physical fitness standards. Our education standards are extremely high."

Called Operation Support Freedom, Maj. Michael Lewis of Jacksonville, a C-130 instructor navigator with the 189th Airlift Wing, said the operation was a capabilities exercise designed to showcase the total force abilities of the men and women of the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard. He said those involved were a four-person combat control team from Kentucky that parachuted onto the field, two A-10 jet aircraft from Fort Smith's 188th Fighter Wing, four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Camp Robinson and a security team from the 189th.

In the exercise, insurgents had captured part of the airfield and the A-10s were brought in to attack them. After several passes, the Blackhawk helicopters made strafing runs designed to destroy any remaining enemy forces, but the A-10s were called back in to finish the job as C-130s dropped cargo by parachutes from 600 feet. The A-10s continued to fly combat air patrol over the site.

The 55 civic leaders and numerous military personnel watching from a grandstand on the drop zone were warned that the A-10s were inbound but they were surprised with the two Warthogs popped up from behind Clinton Mountain just north of the drop zone, banked hard and came screaming into the drop zone in front of them, dropping their simulated bombs at the simulated enemy.

It was suppression attack for which the WartHogs are designed and became known during the first and second Iraq wars. In fact, officials said most of the aircraft were mothballed until they again proved their close air support superiority during those wars.

One of the civic leaders said the WartHogs were on top of them before they even heard them.

The Blackhawks from Camp Robinson's 77th Aviation Brigade all are veterans of Iraq, where they lost one helicopter in one of the worst single casualty crashes in Iraq.

Employers were enthusiastic in their support of the Guard.

"We cherish our Guard members," said Vincent Horton of Geo Group Inc. of Hobbs, N.M. "We know and understand what we need to do to meet their needs."

Another employer said the program opened her eyes.

"I'm getting ready to hire, and this excellent program today is putting a new light on my hiring decision," said Carla Helton of the U.S. Postal Service in Camdenton, Mo.

Area military leaders were happy to show off the state's capabilities.

"We think this is a great opportunity to showcase not only the 189th [Airlift Wing] but the Air National Guard in this region of the United States and demonstrate employer support to the Guard and Reserve and express our appreciation for everything [employers] do," said Maj. Gen. Bill Wofford, Arkansas adjutant general said.

Civic leaders came from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.



A-10 Warthogs from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith fly simulated combat missions Thursday at Camp Robinson to demonstrate their capability to three-star Gen. Craig McKinley, who soon will take command of the National Guard Bureau and civic leaders. Maj. Mike Meason and Capt. Andrew Nash, both of Fort Smith, piloted the two A-10s through the close air support missions at Camp Robinson. (Courtesy John Paul Jones)

Source

Conway's Col. Tom Anderson in charge of 188th Fighter Wing

The Log Cabin Democrat
November 6, 2008



By Joe Lamb
Log Cabin Staff Writer

Conway resident Col. Thomas Anderson is settling into his new job as commander of the Arkansas Air National Guard's Fort Smith-based 188th Fighter Wing and taking on the task of preparing the 188th for deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.

He is now in charge of almost 1,000 full and part-time Guardsmen and an annual operating budget of about $40 million.

Anderson served as vice wing commander under Col. Kevin Wear since 2006, becoming wing commander upon Wear's retirement on Oct. 5. Wear had planned to retire in 2005, but stayed on to fight a Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) decision to strip the 188th of its aircraft and reduce its number of personnel.

With the help of a consortium of Fort Smith city and military leaders, the BRAC decision was amended to keep the 188th airborne, but the fighter wing lost its mission to fly Lockeed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Instead, Wear oversaw a re-tooling of the fighter wing to support its new mission of flying and maintaining Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack and close air support aircraft.

Now that Anderson is in command of the 188th, he will oversee the process of updating the 188th's fleet of A-10s from A to C specifications, a task which involves significant technological upgrades to an aircraft that has, since its introduction in 1977, been among the most low-tech and spartan in U.S. military service.

When refitted as, the 188th's A-10Cs will be better equipped to deliver JDAM precision guided bombs and communicate electronically with other battlefield elements, Anderson explained, though the aircraft's primary weapon will remain the GAU-8, a seven-barreled, 3,900 round-per-minute 30-millimeter cannon around which the aircraft is built.

These updates may be put to use in early 2010, when the 188th is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan to provide close air support for troops on the ground. Though Anderson said it hasn't yet been decided whether he will join his airmen in Afghanistan, the responsibility of ensuring that his updated A-10s and the Guardsmen who fly them are ready for deployment.

"I would like to go," he said. "Obviously you hate to leave mom and the kids, but it's something you've trained for and something you signed up to do and so you don't have too much anxiety about doing it."

Though originally designed to combat a large-scale mechanized invasion of western Europe as an anti-tank aircraft, Anderson said the rugged construction and slow-speed flight envelope of the A-10 is ideally suited to the role it will be filling in its upcoming deployment.

Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Central Arkansas in 1985 and a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's William H. Bowen School of Law in 1995. He has been with the 188th for over 20 years.

Anderson attributes his continued success in military aviation to an upbringing in a National Guard family.

"It's always been in my family," he said. "I've always been interested in the Guard and serving my country. In my military career I've always been at Fort Smith. It's like a second family to me and I try to treat it like family. That mindset has served me well."

Source



The change of command ceremony took place on October 5, 2008. For full 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs news coverage, a statement by Col. Tom Anderson and photos check the
November issue of "The Flying Razorback" online newspaper.

Online is also an Arkansas National Guard news release "Air Guard Fighter Wing to change commanders at ceremony".

Exercise Beverly Bulldog 08-04 at Osan AB

Today, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs released a photo essay No stopping the Stampede with eleven pictures.



Staff Sgt. George Pastere, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, completes pre-flight checks on A-10 80-0251 during Exercise Beverly Bulldog 08-04 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, November 6, 2008. The exercise tests Team Osan's ability to transition from peacetime to wartime operations, execution of the mission in a war time environment, and response time to major accident and natural disasters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley) Hi-res

---

Capt. Abram Burk, an A-10 pilot, and Staff Sgt. George Pastere, 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief complete a pre-flight inspection on A-10 80-0251 (Door Art "DRAGON MASTER") during Exercise Beverly Bulldog 08-04 at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, November 6, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley)

Hi-res

A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for October 2008

by Joachim Jacob



An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off from Bagram AB, Afghanistan, on October 18, 2008. The nose art on the plane signifies that this A-10 is part of the "Flying Tigers" legacy dating back to the World War II era. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse) Hi-res

For first time ever since I launched this blog, from the "Airpower Summaries", released on USAF's public main website, for October 2008 I extracted and edited all available info related to A-10 Thunderbolt II combat missions in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). The mostly daily airpower summaries for OEF and OIF are provided by Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) officials at Al Udeid AB, Qatar. According to the sources, all of the listed missions were confirmed successful by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs).

Oct. 1: A-10s dropped GBU-38s onto anti-Afghan forces engaging coalition forces with small arms fire in the vicinity of Bari Kowt.

Oct. 2: In the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s dropped general-purpose 500-pound bombs and fired cannon rounds and rockets onto anti-Afghan forces. A-10s performed shows of force near Sheykhabad and in the vicinity of Ali Kheyl to deter insurgent activities.

Oct. 3: A-10s fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah. A-10s performed shows of force near Kandahar and in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 4: (no A-10 info)

Oct. 5: A-10s performed shows of force to deter insurgent activities in the vicinity of Qarah Bagh.

Oct. 6: (no A-10 info)

Oct. 7: A-10s performed shows of force to deter insurgent activities near Bamian and in the vicinity of Nurestan.

Oct. 8: A-10s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities in the vicinity of Oruzgan and Orgun-E.

Oct. 9: A-10s dropped a GBU-38 and fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces engaging coalition forces in the vicinity of Gereshk. In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, A-10s fired rockets onto anti-Afghan forces.

Oct. 10: A-10s performed a show of force to deter insurgent activities near Gardez.

Oct. 11: In the vicinity of Shkin, an A-10 dropped a GBU-38 onto anti-Afghan forces who were in the open. Near Sheykhabad, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan activity. An A-10 conducted a show of force near Ghazni to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 12: A-10s performed shows of force near Lashkar Gah and Bagram to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 13: In the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s dropped GBU-38s, general-purpose 500-pound bombs, and fired rockets and cannon rounds onto enemy forces. A-10s performed shows of force in the vicinity of Soltani and Moqor to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 14: An A-10 dropped a GBU-38 onto enemy fighters who were engaging coalition forces with small-arms fire in the vicinity of Bari Kowt.

Oct. 15: A-10s dropped GBU-38s onto enemy fighters in a bunker in the Worzhanah Kalay area. In the vicinity of Bari Kowt, an A-10 dropped a GBU-38 onto enemy forces. A-10s dropped GBU-38s onto hostile forces who were firing mortars and/or rockets at coalition forces near Asadabad. In the vicinity of Nangalam, A-10s dropped GBU-38s onto enemies of Afghanistan who were directing small arms fire at friendly forces.

Oct. 16: A-10s fired cannon rounds and rockets onto enemy fighters who were attacking coalition forces with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades near Kabul. A-10s performed shows of force to deter enemy activities near Kabul.

Oct. 17: A-10s fired cannon rounds and rockets onto anti-Afghan forces near Kabul. An A-10 fired cannon rounds at anti-Afghan forces engaging friendly forces with indirect fire near Sheykhabad. A-10s conducted shows of force to deter insurgent activities near Kabul.

Oct. 18: In the vicinity of Bagram, A-10s conducted shows of force to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 19: (not released)

Oct. 20: In the vicinity of Malek Din, an A-10 fired rockets onto hostile forces who had fired at a coalition convoy. Near Gardez, an A-10 fired rockets at hostile forces that were shooting at Afghan National Police. Furthermore, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter enemy activities near the same area.

Oct. 21: An A-10 fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces in the open in the vicinity of Khowst. Furthermore, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity in the same area. In the vicinity of Nangalam, an A-10 dropped a GBU-38 onto anti-Afghan forces that had fired at a coalition convoy. Near Asmar, the same A-10 provided convoy escort to deter enemy insurgents until the coalition convoy reached the forward operating base.

Oct. 22: An A-10 fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces in the open in the vicinity of Orgun-E.

Oct. 23: An A-10 fired rockets and cannon rounds at anti-Afghan forces using a rocket launcher in the vicinity of Gardez. Furthermore, an A-10 conducted a show of force to deter further hostile activity in the area. A-10s performed shows of force in the vicinity of Bagram, Morghab, Ghazni and Tarin Kowt to deter enemy activities.

Oct 24: A-10s dropped a GBU-38 and fired cannon rounds onto anti-Afghan forces using small arms fire against coalition forces in the vicinity of Shurakian. An A-10 performed a show of force near Gardez to deter enemy activities.

Oct. 25: An A-10 fired cannon rounds onto enemy positions along a tree line in the vicinity of Qarah Bagh. An A-10 conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in an area of repeated attacks near Kabul.

Oct. 26: A-10s conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in the areas near Orgun-E and in the vicinity of Sheykhabad.

Oct. 27: A-10s conducted shows of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in the areas near Soltani and in the vicinity of Jalalabad.

Oct. 28: An A-10 fired rockets and cannon rounds onto enemy compound in the vicinity of Morghab.

Oct. 29: An A-10 conducted a show of force to deter anti-Afghan forces activity in the area near Khowst.

Oct. 30: (no A-10 info)

Oct. 31: A-10s and F-15Es performed multi-flight shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy in the vicinity of Jalalabad. In the vicinity of Monari, A-10s performed shows of force to deter enemy activities and provide armed aerial overwatch for a coalition convoy that had struck an IED.

Flying Tigers to reunite

by Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
23rd Wing Public Affairs

11/3/2008 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Starting Nov. 5 Moody will experience a blast from the past as former and current members of the 23rd Wing congregate for the 2008 23rd Flying Tiger Association Reunion.

The three-day event, held since the 1950s, is also a celebration of the 23rd Wing's 66th anniversary. Of the 69-74 guests expected to come, approximately 20 Flying Tigers who served during World War II and several surviving spouses will attend.

"The reunion allows the Flying Tigers from World War II to reunite and spend time together," said Maj. Jeff Hogan, 23rd Wing chief of plans and reunion planner. "It's also an opportunity for current Flying Tigers to meet those who laid our proud heritage and learn about the wing's heritage from them firsthand."

The veterans also have the opportunity to learn about the wing's current mission and capabilities.

The 23rd Fighter Group and 347th Rescue Group will team-up to show the wing's rescue and attack mission through a combat search and rescue demonstration on Grand Bay Range Nov. 6.

Other activities planned for the event include briefings and static displays of the A-10C Thunderbolt II, HC-130P King and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. Through these several events, Moody Airmen have the chance to interact with the veterans.

"It is important for the Airmen of the 23rd Wing to understand the immense responsibility we have been given when we take on the moniker 'Flying Tigers'," said Major Hogan. "Our World War II generation set pretty high standards and have an unrivaled history in combat. Subsequent generations of Flying Tigers have done no less. Unless every Airman understands those who have gone before them, they won't truly understand what a privilege, honor and responsibility it is to be a Flying Tiger."

The reunion will culminate with a 23rd Wing/23rd Flying Tiger Association dinner on Nov. 8 at hanger 718, with retired Gen. T. Michael Moseley as the guest speaker.

For more information regarding the various reunion events, please contact your respective unit leadership.

Source

Civic leaders observed A-10 in-air refueling

by 917th Wing Public Affairs



During a 917th Wing sponsored Civic Leader Tour, October 29-30, to Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, a group of 30 civic leaders observed an in-air refueling of A-10 79-0154 from the 47th Fighter Squadron by a 931st Air Refueling Group KC-135 after taking off from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The tour was to familiarize them with the 917th Wing and the Air Force Reserve. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Zarcariaous Presha, 2nd Bomb Wing Protocol) Hi-res

47th FS pilots do their part in War on Terrorism

by Capt. Newman Robertson
917th Wing Public Affairs

11/2/2008 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- As the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft performed a combat decent, an aggressive maneuver done by C-17 pilots to avoid potential enemy missile fire, into the airport, the reality of being in a combat zone set in just as quickly as the aircraft stopped after landing.

When Lt. Col. Jim "Skid" Marks, Assistant Director of Operations, stepped off the C-17 aircraft at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, on June 15, 2008, he was unsure what to expect. "This was my first time in combat," said Colonel Marks. "After 23 years of service, I got a chance to do what I had been trained to do." He, along with Major John Bachtell, Chief of Scheduling, augmented the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho Air National Guard, while Major Robert Hetland, Weapons Officer, and Lt. Col. Marc Olson, Sortie Production Manager, flew with the Willow Grove, Penn., ANG A-10 unit, as they conducted missions supporting the International Security Assistance Forces, as well as U.S. and NATO forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"This was a classic rainbow operation," said Colonel Marc Olson. "There were several maintenance and support folks representing the 917th Wing over there helping out with the other units." Colonel Olson added. "This was a great opportunity for all of us to gain some recent operational experience."

"While in Afghanistan, we provided Close Air Support for the ground forces using the "Hawgs" 30MM cannon delivering high-explosive, incendiary rounds, 2.75-inch rockets and laser guided bombs; provided route clearance which entails looking at routes for potential improvised explosive devices and/or enemy positions; convoy escorts; provided armed over watch; and engaged enemy positions when called upon by the joint terminal attack controllers," said Colonel Marks. Additionally, they also flew "show of force" missions in which they flew low over enemy positions to dissuade them from attacking. The pilots had use of advanced targeting pods and night vision goggles to better see the battlefield for both day and night operations.

"Once we got over the initial shock of being in a war zone, our focus quickly turned to the mission", said Colonel Marks.

"The hardest part of the deployment was watching the flag draped caskets of our fallen comrades being taken to the transport for their final journey home," said Colonel. Marks, "This served as a constant reminder to us why our mission was so important." Like many, the pilots of the 47th Fighter Squadron had to adjust to the stress associated with being in a combat environment as well as the living conditions and constant thoughts of home and family.

The 47th FS is a training unit, and as such, is not tasked to deploy in combat. According to Colonel Bob Nordberg, 917th Operations Group commander, "All four pilots volunteered to augment other deploying units to fill Air Expeditionary Force requirements. As Formal Training Unit instructors, they represent a cadre of highly experienced and technically proficient A-10 pilots. It's important to get that kind of experience into the combat theater."

Before leaving for Afghanistan, each pilot completed an intensive training regime to prepare for the deployment including training in survival and other combat readiness skills. "The flying training that we do here at the 47th Fighter Squadron is excellent, and it prepared us very well for the missions we accomplished," added Colonel Marks.

"In addition to what these men bring to the fight, the experience they gained in theater will directly translate to improved student training for future A-10 combat pilots," added Colonel Nordberg.

Overall, the experience of deploying and operating in a joint environment is one these pilots will remember for the rest of their lives. "It was a great feeling to be able to use our training to support the ground forces and be there for them when called upon," said Colonel Marks.

Source

Thunderbolts, grounded by Hill, on the mend

Temporary fix keeps jets flying over Iraq, Afghanistan; long-term solution in the works

By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Launched: 10/27/2008 10:54:59 AM MDT

Nearly one month after the Air Force grounded scores of jets favored by the military for protecting U.S. ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, engineers at Hill Air Force Base say they have "a way ahead" for getting the A-10 Thunderbolt back into service.

For now, the temporary inspection and maintenance regimen ordered by Hill's A-10 System Program Office will keep all but three jets in combat zone service. A permanent fix to the problem - fractures in the wings of many aircraft discovered during routine maintenance at Hill - is in the works, according to base officials.

Engineers at Hill "have been working diligently to develop and validate more comprehensive repairs," said base spokesman Charles Freeman.

Nearly 150 A-10 Thunderbolts were immediately grounded as a result of the Hill alert. Almost all showed signs of cracking, but the temporary fix, which takes about 45 man-hours per jet, has returned about one-third of the grounded jets to service.

At least 200 of the jets, popularly known as the "Warthog," await inspection.

A small number, including the four which received a one-time flight authorization from Afghanistan to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will need more extensive repairs.

Those fixes may take as long as two months.

Lt. Gen. Gary North, Combined Forces Air Component commander for U.S. Central Command, said NATO forces would use "other assets in theater to meet mission requirements" while waiting for four replacement aircraft.

Air Force officials said that military members on the ground would not notice a difference, however. Weekly airpower summaries issued by the Air Force since Oct. 11 show A-10s have been used in several close-air missions recently.

There have been no crashes involving the aircraft, but the presence of cracks in the wings, similar to a maintenance problem discovered on many of the Air Force's F-15 fighter jets last year, concerned Air Force officials enough to order the grounding of a large portion of the fleet for inspection. If the problem had gone undetected, military aviation experts said, it had the potential to cause wings to fall off.

Source

Note: This news article was first-published with the headline HAFB gets 'Warthogs' back in battle on October 25, 2008.