354th FS and 355th AMXS deploy

by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs


U. S. Air Force Captain Ryan Young, 354th Fighter Squadron, gives two thumbs up as he prepares to taxi down the flightline. He and other members of his squadron, along with members of the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, will fly and maintain the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft specifically designed for close air support that provides accurate weapons delivery, and survivability to operations. (U. S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 80-0203.

10/3/2012 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Members of the 354th Fighter Squadron and 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron recently deployed from D-M.

The first to leave were a complement of operators and maintainers, flying out Sept. 24. The pilots followed in their aircraft Sept. 26. The squadrons deployed members to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The deploying members will fly and maintain the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft specifically designed for close air support that provides accurate weapons delivery, and survivability to operations.

The fighter jet has participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Desert Fox, Noble Anvil, Deny Flight, Deliberate Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The units deployed approximately 400 personnel and 20 aircraft.

"Over the last six months, the men and women of the 354th FS and 355th AMXS have done a superb job preparing to support operations in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Daniel Luce, 354th FS commander. "Their efforts have been nothing short of spectacular and are a true testament of their dedication to the mission. I am proud to work alongside each and every one of them."

Bagram Airfield is home to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, which serves U.S. Air Forces Central and provides close air support, combat search rescue, aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and airlift capabilities to U.S. and coalition forces supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

It is located in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, approximately 30 miles north of Kabul, and is home to approximately 2,000 Airmen at any given time.

D-M currently has nearly 800 Airmen deployed in support of operations around the world.


U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft sit beneath sunshades on the flightline as they are checked over before takeoff at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 26, 2012. More than 20 aircraft and 400 personnel were deployed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook) Hi-res

Note: Pictured from right are A-10Cs 80-0187, 78-0650, 80-0210...


U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft taxi down the runway as they prepare to takeoff for Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The aircraft and personnel will spend six months at the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, flying and maintaining the A-10 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Courtesy photo) Hi-res

Note: Pictured at right is A-10C 80-0169.


U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft taxi down the flightline behind a KC-10 Extender as they prepare to depart on a six-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 354th Fighter Squadron and 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deployed more than 400 personnel and 20 aircraft to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Bagram. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook)

Note: The KC-10 is from Travis AFB.


U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Tenenbaum, 354th Fighter Squadron takes time out from performing his preflight checks to show his enthusiasm as he prepares to depart on a six-month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 26, 2012. The 354th FS, along with the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, deployed more than 400 members to Bagram in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook) Hi-res


U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Tenenbaum, 354th Fighter Squadron, watches his crew chief go through the final pre-flight checks before he taxis down the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 26, 2012. Major Tenenbaum is one of 400 members who deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to support the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, which serves U.S. Air Forces Central and provides close air support, combat search rescue, aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and airlift capabilities to U.S. and coalition forces supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook) Hi-res

Note: Pictured in both photos is A-10C 79-0198 (serial number readable on the ejection seat). Some remains of former crew inscriptions are still visible.

Source (including 6 photos)

Please note: That's the very first official info released by 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs.