First Feedback: A-10 Barrier Art at Ahmed Al Jaber

Just yesterday, from a new personal contact I got this historic picture, taken in April 2003 at Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait, former home of the legendary 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing:



(Courtesy photo) Full size

This barrier art, created on two pieces of concrete, honors an Air National Guard "Rainbow Team" which was originally deployed for Operation Southern Watch. Later, it was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom and also in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the focus are the 124th Wing, Idaho ANG, Boise (at left), and the 110th Fighter Wing, Michigan ANG, Battle Creek (at right). Mentioned at the bottom are the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania ANG, Willow Grove, and a so-called "DET. 1 WAANG". The time frame is spanned from November 2002 to May 2003, related to Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotations 7/8 and 9/10. The reason for the fictive tailcode "BB" is unknown to me.

The ANG "Rainbow Team" was originally deployed as part of the AEF 7/8 (Cycle 3) rotation (December 2002 - February 2003). Part of this team were A-10s and personnel from the following units:

190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (Idaho ANG), Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho (tailcode ID)
172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek (tailcode BC)
103rd Fighter Squadron, 111th Fighter Wing (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS (tailcode PA)

In March 2003, the team sent some A-10s to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

More background info will be uploaded soon.