Family, friends welcome Panthers home

Released by 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs



4/11/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 81st Fighter Squadron prepare to exit their aircraft on Ramp 4 here April 10 after returning from a deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Friends and family waited by to greet six of the squadron's pilots who had been providing close air support during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks) Hi-res

Note: Pictured (from left) are A-10Cs 81-0981 (marked "81 FS"), 81-0966 (marked "52 OG"), 81-0965, 81-0956, 81-0985 and 80-0275 from the 81st Fighter Squadron which were deployed as part of a "Total Force" A-10C team to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. BTW: This incredible picture would become a milestone in the A-10 history books if the 81st FS should be really deactivated soon as proposed.



4/11/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Capt. Mike Krestyn, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot and chief of plans, climbs down from the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II on Ramp 4 here April 10. Krestyn was one of the squadron's six pilots returning from a deployment from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, providing close air support during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 80-0275 from the 81st Fighter Squadron.
























4/11/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Lt. Col. Joshua Ruddell, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot and director of operations, is welcomed home by his wife, Neva, and children, from left, Tyler, Carter and Bella on Ramp 4 here April 10 after returning from his deployment from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Ruddell was one of the squadron's six pilots who had been providing close air support during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks) Hi-res



4/11/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Capt. Michael Dumas, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot and weapons training officer, receives a hug from his wife, Megan, on Ramp 4 here April 10. Dumas was one of the squadron's six pilots returning from a deployment from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, providing close air support during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks) Hi-res

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Please note: This photo story is only about the six pilots who flew the six deployed 81st FS jets back home to Spang. I still don't know how many 81st FS pilots, crew chiefs and other maintainers were deployed to support the "Total Force" A-10C team, originally deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, and relocated later to Bagram Airfield due to a CAS reset within Afghanistan.