A-10 80-0228 from the 74th Fighter Squadron and currently deployed with the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron represents the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, during a Change of Command Ceremony at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, July 20, 2009. The Warthog's mission is to provide close air support and precision engagement missions throughout Afghanistan on a daily basis in support of Coalition ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke) Hi-res
by Tech. Sgt. John Jung
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
7/21/2009 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- They trace their heritage back to the famous Flying Tigers of WWII's war-torn China. In homage to the storied Airmen of the past, the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron still has the iconic sharks face painted on the front of their A-10 Thunderbolt II's, lovingly nicknamed the "Warthog."
The Warthog's mission is to provide close air support and precision engagement missions throughout Afghanistan on a daily basis in support of Coalition ground forces.
But before the pilots ever get in the Warthog, it's the 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit that gets the aircraft airborne. There has not been a single day in the deployment of the 74th EFS that squadron didn't have at least two aircraft airborne providing support to their warrior counterparts on the ground.
"Just like the Airmen that defended China in World War II, the 74th AMU is often short on resources, maintain aging aircraft and must make do with what they can," said Capt. James Schieser, 74th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Officer-in-Charge. "The strong leadership, dedication and perseverance of our non-commissioned officers, senior non-commissioned officers and officer corps, are what ensure every aircraft is fully mission-capable. The maintainers of the 74th AMU understand, with the Flying Tiger legacy they inherited, failure is not an option."
To date the Flying Tigers have broken records by flying upwards of 12,000 mission hours, expending more than 100 tons of ordinance in the CAS mission since arriving in February 2009. However, many times all it took was a show of force to end an engagement.
"We seek to avoid civilian casualties in all our operations - period," said Senior Master Sgt. Victor Castillo, 74th AMU Weapons Section Superintendent. "We have a variety of methods we use including loading of precision guided munitions, monthly updates of aircraft digital maps, and daily maintenance of our targeting systems to ensure the safety of innocent civilians on the ground."
But when enemy combatants don't flee after a show of force, the Warthog can deliver a precise strike to protect Coalition ground forces.
Army Specialist Jason Dorsey, "C" Company, 178th Infantry, saw firsthand the precision and power of the Warthog.
"The A-10s were a valuable asset to us on ground missions here in Afghanistan. Their speed and precise targeting provided great support for us and kept the bad guys' heads down during firefights," Spc. Dorsey said.
"We have so many soldiers coming in from the field to thank us - it's their stories of desperately needing 'air' and seeing an A-10 flying overhead providing cover for them that kept us energized and motivated," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas E. Moore, 74th AMU Lead Production Superintendent. "It kept us working hard even when it seemed all we were doing was launching and recovering jets 24/7."
Senior Airman Gabriel Ramirez, from the 455th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, installs an environmental control panel on the A-10 Thunderbolt, here July 20, 2009. Airman Ramirez is deployed from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, and hails from Altus, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke)
Staff Sgt. James Irvin, from the 455th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, performs an air cycle machine inspection to ensure the A-10 Thunderbolt functions properly, here July 20, 2009. Sergeant Irvin is deployed from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, and hails from Kerrville, Texas. They support Coalition forces on a daily basis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke) Hi-res
Senior Airman Jacob McDonald, from the 455th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks to the pilot of an A-10 Thunderbolt during a "Red ball," which is when the pilot talks to the ground crew before take off if they feel anything is wrong with the aircraft so that it can get repaired, here July 20, 2009. Airman McDonald is deployed from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, and hails from Canon City, Colorado. They support Coalition forces on a daily basis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke) Hi-res
Aircraft art is just one way for Airmen to represent what base they are from; this A-10 Thunderbolt is from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia. The A-10 has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. They support Coalition forces on a daily basis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke) Hi-res
The tail of A-10 79-0172 from the 74th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Felicia Juenke) Hi-res
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