The first six A-10s arrived at Selfridge in December last year

By Joachim Jacob

The following very important news article "A-10s arrive at Selfridge" was already published on the front page of the "Prevailing Wind", January 2009, online PDF issue. "Prevailing Wind" is the official newspaper of the 127th Wing, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan. Please note: There is still no HTML version of this news article on 127th Wing's public website. From the PDF file I also extracted the two associated pictures, also still not released as JPGs.

A-10s arrive at Selfridge

The first six A-10 Thunderbolt jets arrived at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in December 2008. The jets, from the 110th Fighter Wing in Battle Creek, Mich., are the first of twenty-four "Warthogs" that are part of the 127th Wing's new fighter aircraft mission. Many 107th Fighter Squadron pilots are already away at school learning to fly the new jet.

The 127th Maintenance Group begins its training in mid-January. Active duty airmen from the Field Training Team will be training the Michigan Guardsmen through April in the maintenance of this larger (than F-16) attack plane.

"Everyone is looking forward to beginning this new mission. It's exciting that we're all starting from ground zero and will have these aircraft up and running in a matter of months," stated Chief Master Sgt. Henry Ryan, 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent.

Newly qualified pilots of the 107th Fighter Squadron will be flying A-10s out of Baltimore, MD., until later this spring after an official ceremony marks the stand-up of the new fighter mission at Selfridge.

A-10C 80-0267 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron after arrival at Selfridge ANGB in December 2008. (Photo by John S. Swanson, 127th Wing Public Affairs)



A-10C 80-0267 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron in front of Hangar 3 after arrival at Selfridge ANGB in December 2008. (Photo by John S. Swanson, 127th Wing Public Affairs)

Source

See also:
127th Wing begins Thunderbolt training
107th Fighter Squadron 'Red Devils' now one step closer to converting from F-16C/Ds to the A-10C

According to the news article 127th Wing begins Thunderbolt training, seven A-10s are now on temporary loan at Selfridge, until the 127th Wing is ready to officially take ownership of the aircraft in late April 2009.

Meanwhile, some 172th FS aircraft are relocated from Battle Creek to Martin State Airport, Maryland. Are they part of the loaned aircraft package and relocated only for 107th FS pilots training?



Airmen look over A-10Cs from Battle Creek and Baltimore before launching them on a mission at Warfield Air National Guard Base on December 17th, 2008. Visible from left to right are: 80-0262 (172th Fighter Squadron), 78-0705 (131st Fighter Squadron) and 80-0263 (172th Fighter Squadron). (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher) Hi-res



A-10C 80-0264 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron, and probably also now on loan to the 127th Fighter Wing, heads to the runway for take off at Martin State Airport, Maryland, on January 29th, 2009. (Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox)