Additional OEF A-10 unit for Kandahar, Afghanistan?

There are signs Air Combat Command (ACC) and U.S. Air Forces Central (USAFCENT) will establish a second A-10 expeditionary fighter squadron for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

On July 2, 2009, the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, transitioned to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. Brigadier General Guy M. Walsh, former commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, and an A-10 pilot, assumed command of the 451st AEW.



Brigadier General Guy M. Walsh stands ready to give his first remarks as the new Wing commander for the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing here after an assumption of command and activation ceremony July 2, 2009. The 451st transitioned from a group to a wing at 7 a.m. as Lt. General Gary L. North, 9th Air Force and Air Forces Central commander, handed Gen. Walsh the guidon. General Walsh was the wing commander for the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland, before accepting his assignment here. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Noelle Caldwell)

In his first remarks, Brigadier General Guy M. Walsh announced an A-10 deployment in the near future. See video 451st AEW Activation

On the other hand, elements from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, still are slated to deploy with at least twelve of their upgraded A-10Cs to deploy as 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, as part of USAF's upcoming AEF 1/2 (Cycle 8) rotation (September - December 2009).

On July 8, 2009, the Arizona Daily Star reported: "Hundreds of Tucson airmen are headed to Afghanistan to help shore up the U.S. military's renewed focus on the region. About 300 pilots, aircraft mechanics and support personnel from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are due to leave by week's end for a six-month tour overseas. A squadron of D-M's A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jets will lead the way, departing first. The jets will be followed a day or two later by remaining personnel from D-M's 354th "Bulldogs" Fighter Squadron and the 355th Maintenance Group."

That suggest, elements of the 354th Fighter Squadron will deploy as 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

With the headline "D-M Airmen Kandahar Deployment", today 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs released the following pictures:



Col. Robert Singleton, the 355th Fighter Wing vice commander, talks to Airmen as they prepare to deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan July 6, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Dowdle) Hi-res



Several Airmen load pallets onto a plane, preparing for a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan July 6, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Dowdle) Hi-res



Several D-M Airmen move their bags onto a truck in preparation for their deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan July 6, 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Dowdle) Hi-res



A group of Airmen walk to their plane July 6, 2009. The Airmen are deploying to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Dowdle) Hi-res

Related info:

451st makes history, stands up as wing
451st AEW Activation (Video)
Hundreds from D-M will fight Taliban (Arizona Daily Star)