47th Fighter Squadron A-10Cs caught during RIMPAC 2012

By Joachim Jacob, Warthog News Editor

On their Flickr photostream, U.S. Pacific Fleet released the following shots of A-10Cs from the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group (AFRC), Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, participating in exercise RIMPAC 2012.

Original photo caption: PACIFIC OCEAN (July 16, 2012) An Air Force A-10 Warthog assigned to Air Force 47th Attack Squadron, flies past the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during training as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, the world's largest international maritime exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Jonathan A. Colon) Full size

Original photo caption: PACIFIC OCEAN (July 14, 2012) An Air Force A-10 Warthog, assigned to Air Force 47th Attack Squadron, shoots a flare during an exercise conducted with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently underway participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun. 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Wray) Full size

Original photo caption: PACIFIC OCEAN (July 15, 2012) An Air Force A-10 Warthog, assigned to Air Force 47th Attack Squadron, shoots a flare during a joint exercise conducted with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently underway participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Wray) Full size

Please note: I'm now in the process to check some more Navy websites to get original hi-res versions with a lot of MB's. Hey, guys, I would be very grateful for any related link!

See also: OFFICIAL RIMPAC 2012 WEBSITE Local Reserve fighters deploy to Hawaii

A-10 Reprieve at BAFB brings sighs of relief

By Jeff Ferrell
12 KSAL-TV
Posted: July 14, 2012 1:46 AM / Updated: July 14, 2012 1:48 AM

It's official: Barksdale's allotment of A-10 Warthogs will stay at the air force base at least one more year. Word came late this week that the attack jet will 'not' be phased out at Barksdale for now. And the reaction has been one of relief.

Not far from the gates of Barksdale Air Force Base you could hear strong reactions to word that the 21 A-10 Warthogs assigned to the base will stay at least one more year. Local resident Ray Chaney told us, "The A-10 to me is one of the greatest warplanes that we ever had. I love it."

Even the cashier inside Beam's Restaurant, right across the street from the base, had an opinion. Lee Henning said, "Well, they need 'em right now, they do for everything that's going on in the world."

A recently disclosed letter sent by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to lawmakers announced that those A-10s, assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron of the 917th Fighter group at Barksdale would survive the budget ax through the 2013 fiscal year.

"If you ever ask an, whether he's a marine, a special operator, or a regular army guy, you ask him, 'if they're in a pinch what aircraft would they like to have overhead helping them out,' beyond a doubt ninety-plus percent of the time they'll say the A-10, that's the airplane to have supporting you," said Lt. Col. Rod Glass.

He's the deputy commander of the 917th and says the A-10's mission of close air support for ground troops has made it ideal for the fighting conditions in Afghanistan, where he's served several tours himself. "We can get low, we can get slow. We can get close-up and personal."

The next big step in the A-10's future will come in the spring of 2013. That's about six months before funding would run out for Fiscal '13. Lt. Col. Glass says the U.S. Senate made a provision for the creation of a committee that will evaluate the long-term future of the A-10 jet and then present it to a panel by March 2013 for final recommendations.

And with the A-10's Gatlin Gun able to fire 4-thousand, 30-millimeter rounds a minute some predict this famous 'tank killer' will survive long after next year as well. It's little wonder when you consider that by some estimates, the A-10's presence at Barksdale brings in 45-million dollars to the local economy every year.

Source

Please note: Related video will be embedded soon.

A-10s at Barksdale get reprieve

By John Andrew Prime
The Shreveport Times
July 11, 2012, 5:19 PM

The Air Force Reserve A-10s at Barksdale Air Force Base have gotten a new lease on life, according to a letter Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta sent to lawmakers concerned with cuts and reassignments in the recently proposed defense budget.

"I have directed the Air Force to suspend aircraft transfers and retirements previously scheduled for implementation in (Fiscal Year 2012)" Panetta wrote in a June 22 letter to Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, a combat-wounded World War II veteran who heads the Senate Committee on Appropriations' Defense Subcommittee. The letter was released by lawmakers this week.

Panetta's decision follows concerns and actions by lawmakers from both parties in the wake of the defense budget submitted earlier this year. In Louisiana, that would have dispersed to other squadrons or retired the A-10s from Barksdale's historic 47th Fighter Squadron. It also would shut down Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 77 based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, the U.S. Navy's only fully dedicated counter-narcotics squadron.

Inouye and full committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., wrote Panetta in early June expressing concerns with the budget, as did Louisiana lawmakers and most of the nation's governors, including Bobby Jindal.

"We're still awaiting a final determination," said Col. John Breazeale, commander of the 917th Fighter Group, under which the 47th Fighter Squadron operates. Senior leadership, seven unit aircraft and their pilots and more than 100 other unit personnel are in Hawaii through early August taking part in RIMPAC 2012, a major exercise involving people and platforms from almost two dozen nations. "The language from the House and the Senate, and the latest directive that we're getting, is that the decision will be delayed and it's not going to happen in FY '13. It's under review."

Both House and Senate versions of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act would reject or defer Air Force force structure adjustments and also would authorize an additional $1.4 billion offset.

The Senate Armed Services Committee report urged the Air Force to suspend all force structure adjustments until October 2013 and the bill it endorsed also would prohibit any funding to enact force structure changes. That would prevent the transfer of around 150 aircraft and the retirement of almost 100 others.

Panetta cautioned about the effects uncertainty over funding and casing could have on troops and that delaying action will make future budget deliberations more difficult. Local military observers applauded the decision.

"I think its great they've put a stay on that premature retirement of the A-10s out at Barksdale," said retired Brig. Gen. Peyton Cole, 2nd Bomb Wing commander from 1992 to 1994. A former Pentagon legislative liaison, he recalled a previous move to retire the hardy airplanes just before the first Gulf War, in which they proved to be a remarkably useful and versatile weapon. "I think the A-10 is a viable airplane and will remain viable. We need to retain it."

Source

10th Air Force hosts Patriot Saint exercise at Barksdale

Released by 303rd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

5/17/2012 - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kari Ferolito, 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals an A-10 Thunderbolt II from its parking spot for a sortie in support of the Patriot Saint exercise, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 16, 2012. The A-10 is assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group, and conducted combat search and rescue during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0090 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.

5/17/2012 - Two 47th Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft taxi for a mission in support of the Patriot Saint exercise, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 16, 2012. The exercise presents real-time, realistic combat search and rescue missions and the job of the A-10 is to lead and support the effort to recover survivors and ground personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Note: Pictured in the foreground is A-10C 149 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.


5/17/2012 - U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Hetland, 47th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to taxi for a sortie in support of the Patriot Saint exercise, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 16, 2012. Hetland flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and served as the Rescue Mission Commander for combat search and rescue assets during real-time, realistic combat search and rescue missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Note: That's a very nice close-up of a "Hog Driver". 

5/21/2012 - Members of the OPFOR (Opposing Force) unit watch an A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 47th Fighter Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., pass overhead just before the day's events begin at Fort Polk La., May 16, 2012. The Airmen were part the Patriot Saint exercise, which is designed to hone the war fighting-skills of Air Force pararescuemen for deployment. The exercise also provided A-10 pilots with additional training in executing a search and rescue mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Sources:
10th Air Force hosts Patriot Saint exercise at Barksdale
307th BW and 917th FG support Patriot Saint at Fort Polk

The 917th Fighter Group says goodbye to Senior Master Sgt. Maffett

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

4/30/2012 - U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Caughlin, 917th Fighter Group deputy commander for maintenance, presents the Certificate of Retirement to Senior Master Sgt. Margaret Maffett, 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, during a retirement ceremony, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27, 2012. Maffett is retiring from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

4/30/2012 - Students from the Phoenix Magnet Elementary School attend the retirement ceremony for one of their teachers, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Margaret Maffett, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27, 2012. Maffett is the 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant and is retiring from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

4/30/2012 - Students, parents and faculty from the Phoenix Magnet Elementary School, attend the retirement ceremony for U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Margaret Maffett, 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27, 2012. Maffett, a teacher at Phoenix Magnet, is retiring from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0145 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.

4/30/2012 - Students, parents and faculty from the Phoenix Magnet Elementary School from Alexandria, La., get a tour of a 917th Fighter Group A-10 Thunderbolt II following the retirement ceremony for Senior Master Sgt. Margaret Maffett, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27, 2012. Maffett is a teacher at Phoenix Magnet, and the students sent care packages and letters to members of the 917th Fighter Group during their recent deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0147 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.

4/30/2012 - U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Cobb, 47th Fighter Squadron pilot, shows Phoenix Magnet Elementary School students the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a tour at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 27, 2012. Students, parents and faculty members were treated to the tour following the retirement ceremony for one of their teachers, Senior Master Sgt. Margaret Maffett, 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, who retired from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Source

2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

4/24/2012 - Capt. Jeff Negrette, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, briefs visitors at the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show about the seven-barrel 30mm Gatling gun on the A-10 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 22, 2012. Both the 307th Bomb Wing and 917th Fighter Group provided static displays for the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0153 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.

4/24/2012 - The crowd finds shade under an A-10 Thunderbolt II at the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 22, 2012. The Warthog as it is affectionately known, has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. Both the 307th Bomb Wing and 917th Fighter Group provided static displays for the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Source

917th FG returns home

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

4/20/2012 - Lt. Col. Rodney Glass, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, taxis his jet past a C-17 Globemaster III at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 17, 2012. Glass piloted the final A-10 from the 917th Fighter Group that was used during their deployment to Afghanistan into Barksdale AFB. The C-17, from the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, carried the final 47 Airmen from the 917 FG who were also deployed to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0145 from the 47th Fighter Squadron.

4/20/2012 - Lt. Col. James Travis, the commander of the 47th Fighter Squadron, leads the final group of returning Airmen from the 917th Fighter Group across the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 17, 2012. A C-17 Globemaster III from the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., carried the Airmen from the 917 FG who were returning from a deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Betty Stephens) Hi-res Source Please note: More pictures will be uploaded soon. BTW: Recently deployed from the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group (AFRC), Barksdale AFB, Louisiana (tailcode BD), were: A-10C 79-0094, A-10C 79-0145, and A-10C 79-0154.

The Forum features Barksdale Reservists

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs



4/18/2012 - Lora Fairchild, a photographer for "The Forum" takes a photograph of Master Sgt. Edward Fairchild and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Duhe, for a story about hard-working Airmen at Barksdale Air Force Base, La, April 12, 2012. Sergeants Fairchild and Duhe are crew chiefs for the A-10 Thunderbolt II. "The Forum" is a free newspaper that brings bi-weekly information about the Shreveport/Bossier City area's news, events, home, health and entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



4/18/2012 - Lora Fairchild, a photographer for "The Forum" takes a photograph of Maj. Grant McCall for the cover of an issue of the newspaper at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 12, 2012. McCall is an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron. "The Forum" is a free newspaper that brings bi-weekly information about the Shreveport/Bossier City area's news, events, home, health and entertainment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Source

And here's the cover! Full size



Check it out!

Barksdale Reservists return from deployment

by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs



Maj. Maurice Kent, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, receives a warm welcome from his family at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 14, 2012. Kent arrived at Barksdale after a deployment to Afghanistan. Approximately 150 Airman from the 917th Fighter Group who were deployed to Afghanistan have now returned to Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Betty Stephens) Hi-res

4/17/2012 - Barksdale AFB, La. -- Approximately 150 Airmen from the 917th Fighter Group returned to Barksdale from Afghanistan over the past few days.

While deployed to Afghanistan, the Airmen served in the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield before being relocated to Bagram Airfield as part of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Some of the Airmen were also assigned to the 47th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 451st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 451st Maintenance Squadron.

Barksdale Airmen teamed up with more than 150 people from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mass., and Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to complete the mission in Afghanistan.

"We are very proud of our Airmen and the support they gave to U.S and coalition forces in theater," said Col John Breazeale, 917 Fighter Group Commander. "Our maintenance personnel and pilots had a significant impact on the current operations in Afghanistan, and we were extremely honored by the opportunity deploy as a unit for the first time in sixteen years."

The Barksdale Airmen were schedule to arrive at several different times and dates due to transportation availabilities and unavoidable delays. The first group of approximately 100 Airmen arrived at Barksdale on Saturday, April 14, 2012, with six pilots and six A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft arriving on Sunday, April 14, 2012.

The final group of Airmen arrived at Barksdale on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.



Members of the 917th Fighter Group are greeted by family and friends at the A-10 Hangar on Barksdale Air Force La., April 15, 2102. Approximately 150 Airmen from the 917th Fighter Group who were deployed to Afghanistan have now returned to Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Betty Stephens) Hi-res

Source

Hundreds return from deployment

by Staff Sgt. Danielle Johnston
442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs



Staff Sgt. Jasen McLendon, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, meets his daughter, Sara Beth, for the first time. (U.S. Air Force photo) Hi-res

4/11/2012 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Today, nearly 300 Citizen Airmen returned home from deployment here and at Barksdale AFB, La.

The reservists, all part of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman, deployed in December 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The wing deployed the air expeditionary force package to include maintainers, operators and support personnel.

The 90-day deployment included A-10 Thunderbolt II employment in theater both at Bagram Air Base and Kandahar, Afghanistan. The wing's mission is to "Train and Deploy Ready Reservists." This is the wing's fifth mass deployment of aircraft and personnel since 9/11.

"I am so proud to be part of a wing who can employ combat power and defend great Americans," said Brig. Gen. Eric S. Overturf, 442nd Fighter Wing commander. "This wing provides all A-10 combat power in the Air Force Reserve, and these Citizen Airmen are dedicated to getting the job done."

Source (13 photos)

Related source, also released by 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:
Family members reunite after deployment (11 photos)

Please also check the photo album 2012 Redeployment on the 442nd Fighter Wing's Facebook page (26 photos).

Please also note: Unfortunately, individual photo captions are only given to the pictures on Facebook!

BTW: That means this return also included members of the 917th Fighter Group, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, who were part of this deployment.

Barksdale Airmen jump into the alternative fuel race

by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office



Guy Bretches, an Air Reserve Technician and A-10 jet mechanic assigned to the 917th Maintenance Squadron, pulls clamps off a TF34 jet engine in the 917th Propulsion Shop at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 30, 2012. Bretches is conducting an inspection of engine parts to look for damage that might have occurred during an alternative fuel certification process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

4/10/2012 - Barksdale AFB, LA -- Both Reserve and Active Duty Airmen at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., jumped into the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Program when they joined engineers from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., in an effort to evaluate an alternative jet fuel blend known as ATJ (alcohol-to-jet), at Barksdale AFB, March 26-30, 2012.

The office of the Secretary of the Air Force directed the effort to certify alternative fuels for operational use on all USAF aviation systems in an effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The Alternative Fuels Certification Division (AFCD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force base, Ohio, was stood up in 2007 to manage this endeavor.

The AFCD is currently working three separate synthetic fuel certification efforts. The first, which has completed full certification, is known as JP-8/SPK, and is composed of 50 percent JP-8 and 50 percent synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) produced using the Fischer-Tropsch process. The second alternative fuel blend is 50 percent JP-8 and 50 percent hydrotreated renewable jet (HRJ) fuel known as JP-8/HRJ. HRJ is derived from bio-feedstocks such as animal fats and plant oils (including Algal oils). AFCO has completed about 90 percent of the engine and aircraft testing for the HRJ certification program. An A-10 Thunderbolt II was the first aircraft to fly fully fueled on the JP-8/HRJ blend in March 2010 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The third alternative fuel blend is 50 percent JP-8 and 50 percent alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuel derived from cellulosic alcohols. The particular ATJ being evaluated is made from butanol, an alcohol feedstock, and then blended with traditional JP-8. In the future, the ATJ fuel could be produced from common, abundant cellulosic material like wood waste, grasses, or cornstalks.

There were numerous factors contributing to the decision by the TF34 program office, Oklahoma City - Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC), to have Barksdale host this test for the fuel blend. Foremost was the regular flow of testable TF34 engines that continuously move through the 917th Fighter Group's test facility.

"One reason Barksdale was chosen for this test was their vast availability of experienced professionals willing to do whatever it takes to help accomplish this essential research project," said Andrew Abdinor, TF34 Equipment Specialist, OC-ALC. "The TF34 maintainers at Barksdale are some of the best in the Air Force"

But, long before the fuel for the test found its way to Barksdale, many people were working to make the test here a success.

"Since late December of last year, AFCD has been evaluating the ATJ fuel properties, conducting materials compatibility and component rig testing in support of this TF34 test.," said David Dickey, propulsion lead for the Alternative Fuel Certification Division. "Quite a bit of engineering work is performed on each fuel candidate before we would ask anyone to put in into an actual engine."

A limited supply of ATJ fuel was manufactured by Gevo Inc., headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and shipped to Barksdale from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in 15 drums. That fuel had to be transferred to a storage tank where it was blended with JP-8. That responsibility fell to the Fuels Management Flight, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Reserve personnel from the test cell at the 917th Fighter Group.

"A special apparatus was designed specifically for this operation. It's called a "Stinger" and was fabricated by the Water Fuel Maintenance shop here at Barksdale," said Senior Master Sgt. Dave Laun, the superintendent for the fuels management flight, 2nd LRS. "Patrick Barnes, a civilian, who works for the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron designed the piece and put it together for the purpose of extracting fuel from the drums with the use of a double diaphragm pump, and putting the fuel into the storage tank where it could be blended with the JP-8."

The testing process at Barksdale was accomplished over a four day period, which consisted of running the TF34 Engine with JP-8 fuel at the test cell to set parameters as a baseline for comparisons after the ATJ test. The ATJ and JP-8 fuels were blended, and then the actual ATJ blend fuel run was conducted. After the test run was completed, the data was reviewed and the engine was removed from the test stand to be taken apart and checked by jet mechanics assigned to the 917th Propulsion Shop for any indications of abnormal wear although none was expected.

"We are especially interested in the high pressure turbine, (stage one and two), said Master Sgt. William George, test cell supervisor for the 917th Fighter Group.

"We pulled the hot section and will be looking for damage or wear to the parts, but the aft of the engine looks like it runs clean ... look at the end of that engine," he said.

Looks aside, examining the compiled data from the test will make the difference in whether or not the ATJ fuel gets a clean bill of health for the next phase of on-aircraft testing.

"If the engine's performance is comparable using these diverse fuels, the TF34 Engine Program Office will recommend to the Alternative Fuel Certification Division that the fuel can be utilized for flight testing," Abdinor said. "But, the ATJ needs to perform as well as the JP-8."

"The (engine) approval process is a very important step," Dickey said. "Without it, we can't fly."

All of these efforts support the Air Force's overall energy strategy which includes a goal to be prepared to cost-competitively acquire 50% of domestic aviation fuel from alternative fuel sources by 2016.

Barksdale Airmen can be proud with the role they performed in this alternative fuel evaluation process. Engine approval will clear the way for the next phase of the testing process - an A-10 flight demonstration using the ATJ fuel blend. This evaluation will be conducted at Elgin AFB, Fla., and is scheduled for late May 2012.

Source

Influencing the future

Released by 303rd Bomb Wing Public Affairs



4/4/2012 - A group of cadets from the AFROTC Detachment, 305th Airpower Group, Louisiana Tech University, receive a briefing from Maj. LaRue Russell, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, about the capabilities of the A-10 during their visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 31, 2012. The cadets visited Barksdale to get a look at one of their possible futures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



4/4/2012 - Maj. LaRue Russell, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, gives Cadet 3rd Class Joshua Ayrton and Cadet 4th Class Brayden Decker a closer look at the cockpit of an A-10 during their visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 31, 2012. The two cadets were part of a group from the AFROTC Detachment, 305th Airpower Group, Louisiana Tech University, who visited Barksdale to get a look at one of their possible futures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



4/4/2012 - A group of cadets from the AFROTC Detachment, 305th Airpower Group, Louisiana Tech University, receive a briefing from Senior Master Sgt. Alan Horn, TF-34 propulsion flight supervisor, about the capabilities of the A-10 TF-34 engine at the 917th Propulsion Shop during their visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 31, 2012. The cadets received several different briefings about the A-10 Thunderbolt II during their visit to Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



4/4/2012 - Cadet 3rd Class Barry James experiences what it is like to be in the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 31, 2012. A group of cadets from the AFROTC Detachment, 305th Airpower Group, Louisiana Tech University, received several different briefings about the capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II during their visit to Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



4/4/2012 - Cadet 3rd Class Joshua Ayrton and Cadet 4th Class Brayden Decker take a close-up look at some of the survival equipment supplied to an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, during their visit to the life support shop at the 47th Fighter Squadron building on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., March 31, 2012. The two cadets were part of a group from the AFROTC Detachment, 305th Airpower Group, Louisiana Tech University, who visited Barksdale to get a look at one of their possible futures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Source

Note: On display is A-10C 78-0582 (BOYLESS BAILEY fuselage art) from the 47th Fighter Squadron. Crew inscription: PLT. MAJ. GRANT McCALL, DCC. MSGT. EDWARD FAIRCHILD, ACC. SSGT. Justin BROWNING. No ladder door art.

917th Fighter Group says goodbye to Master Sgt. Bill Murray

Released by 303rd Bomb Wing Public Affairs



4/2/2012 - Family, friends and coworkers attend the retirement ceremony for U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William Murray on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 1, 2012. Murray is retiring with more than 30 years of military service, most of which was spent as an Armament Systems Technician on the A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res



4/2/2012 - U.S. Air Force Col. John Breazeale, 917th Fighter Group commander, congratulates Master Sgt. William Murray on his retirement during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 1, 2012. Murray spent most of his career as an Armament Systems Technician on the A-10 Thunderbolt II and is retiring from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res



4/2/2012 - U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William Murray takes a photo with his wife and family following his retirement ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 1, 2012. Murray retired from the Air Force Reserve after more than 30 years of service, most of which was spent as an Armament Systems Technician on the A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Source

Note: On display is A-10C 78-0582 (BOYLESS BAILEY fuselage art) from the 47th Fighter Squadron. Crew inscription: PLT. MAJ. GRANT McCALL, DCC. MSGT. EDWARD FAIRCHILD, ACC. SSGT. Justin BROWNING. No ladder door art.

KSLA interviews 917th Fighter Group commander concerning future Air Force cuts

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs



2/6/2012 - U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Breazeale, 917th Fighter Group commander, is interviewed by Adria Goins, KSLA News12 reporter/anchor, beside an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 6, 2012. The interview focused on the recent Department of Defense decision to cut 21 A-10s from Barksdale (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Source (including two more pictures)

Please note: Pictured during the interview is A-10C 79-0090 with a blonde toon character as fuselage art. Anybody who can identify this art?

And here's the news feed:

Lt. Col. David B. Deaton retires

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs



2/6/2012 - Col. John Breazeale, commander of the 917th Fighter Group, and Retired Lt. Col. David B. Deaton, a pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, pose for a photo during retirement ceremonies at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Feb. 3, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

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From the archives:



Lt. Col. David Deaton, a pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, prepares his equipment for a flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2011. Colonel Deaton participated in a four-ship flight, during which the pilots surpassed the 20,000 combined hours mark — a feat never before accomplished by four pilots in the A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Air Force Reserve to retire Barksdale A-10s

By 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/3/2012 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Air Force announced the possible retirement of 18 A-10 aircraft assigned to the 917th Fighter Group, Barksdale AFB, La., a geographically separated unit assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing here.

The proposal includes retiring three other A-10s previously slated for retirement and awaiting transfer. Three other A-10s will be transferred here. Under the proposal, the 917th FG will no longer gain an active-associate unit.

The proposal is part of the fiscal year '13 president's budget. In all, the proposal includes the retirement of 82 Air Force Reserve aircraft and other changes in 14 states - Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas - in the next few years according to Pentagon officials Feb. 3.

Called the "Air Force Strategy and Force Structure Overview," the Air Force plans to rebalance its overall ratio of regular, Reserve and Air National Guard forces at about 60 installations in 33 states and retire 227 aircraft to support a new defense strategy.

"We're going to do everything we can to take care of our people as these changes occur," said Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon. "We're putting together programs to retain as many of our reservists as possible."

One of the biggest changes for the Air Force Reserve is the planned closure of the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Penn. If the 911th AW is deactivated, the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station is expected to close. However, the Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base is planned to remain operational.

Faced with austere budget times, the Air Force is refocusing and reducing the size of its forces to comply with the president's new defense strategy and the budget control act's requirements to cut $487 billion from the defense budget over the next 10 years.

The Air Force's share is about $54 billion - and those cuts may grow.

"The president and the Department of Defense have directed our new defense strategy guidance," Stenner said. "Now our Air Force has to set priorities and make some tough choices to rebalance our forces and re-align with the new strategy."

To achieve these goals, the Air Force is planning significant organizational changes. The Air Force Reserve's portion of the cuts includes reducing its inventory by 61 airlift and aerial-refueling aircraft, as well as, 21 fighter jets.

This will retire the Air Force's oldest aircraft, make room for newer models, and consolidate similar types of aircraft at common locations as much as possible.
Other possible changes to the Air Force Reserve include:

· Dobbins ARB, Ga. - Retire seven C-130H2 aircraft and add 10 C-130J aircraft during fiscal year '14.

· Keesler AFB, Miss. - Transfer 10 C-130J aircraft to new location in fiscal year '14. Although the active-associate unit ends as part of the fiscal year '13 president's budget, the Air Force Reserve unit remains operational.

· Lackland AFB, Texas - Retire 16 C-5A aircraft from fiscal year '13 through fiscal year '14. Close the C-5A training school. Add eight C-5M aircraft in fiscal year '15.

· Little Rock AFB, Ark. - Retire two C-130H2 aircraft in fiscal year '17. Unit remains operational.

· March AFB, Calif. - Retire one KC-135 aircraft in fiscal year '13. Unit remains operational.

· Maxwell AFB, Ala. - Drawdown one squadron by retiring seven C-130H2 aircraft in fiscal year '14. Unit remains operational.

· Minneapolis-St. Paul ARS, Minn. - Drawdown one squadron by transferring eight C-130H3 aircraft in fiscal year '13. The Air Force Reserve unit remains operational even though the Air Reserve Station is transferred from the Air Force Reserve to the Air National Guard.

· Niagara Falls, ARS, N.Y. - The Air Reserve Component Associate unit - composed of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard - ends as part of the fiscal year '13 president's budget. The Air Force Reserve retires three C-130H2 aircraft in fiscal year '14 and eight more in fiscal year '17. However, eight C-130H3 aircraft are planned to be added to the Air Force Reserve unit during fiscal year '13.

· Pittsburgh ARS, Penn. - Drawdown one squadron by retiring six C-130H2 aircraft and transferring one C-130H2 in fiscal year '13. Air Force Reserve operations end and the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station closes. However, Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base remains open.

· Pope AFB, N.C. - Retire one C-130H2 aircraft and add one C-130H2 in fiscal year '13.

· Tinker AFB, Okla. - Retire four KC-135 aircraft in fiscal year '13; however, unit remains operational.

· Westover ARB, Mass. - Transfer eight C-5Ms in fiscal year '16. Unit remains operational.

· Youngstown-Warren ARS, Ohio - Retire six C-130H2 aircraft and add four C-130H2.5 aircraft.

"Our future plans must ensure the total force can fulfill the nation's need for daily operations and a surge force in the new strategy," Stenner said. "DOD's goal is to balance force structure reductions with our ability to project power globally and to maintain our force readiness."

Within the next few weeks, the Air Force is scheduled to announce manpower changes caused by these structure changes.

In order for the planned reductions to take effect, they must be approved by Congress and signed into law by the president.

"We worked closely with our regular Air Force and Air National Guard partners to rebalance our total-force team," Stenner said. "In order to make our Air Force smaller, all three components had to find efficiencies and reductions - to get smaller together."

To view the Air Force overview listing all of the Air Force's planned changes, visit to: www.af.mil.

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News article preview and link on 307th Bomb Wing's public website.

A-10 squadron about to deploy

Written by John Andrew Prime
shreveporttimes.com
12:05 AM, Jan. 21, 2012

Adapting to the latest in a series of dramatic changes, air crews with the local 47th Fighter Squadron will deploy to Afghanistan in the next few weeks.

The increased training tempo may be apparent to people living near the base and residents of the south Arkansas training ranges who have seen its twin-tailed A-10 Warthog jet fighters go through paces as the pilots ready to take part again in war.
Just over a year ago, the 917th Wing ceased to be and separated its components, with bombers going to the new 307th Bomb Wing and the A-10 fighters under Travis' command going into the 917th Fighter Group. Though based here, the Reserve fighters are under the Missouri-based 442nd Fighter Wing.

In addition to that corporate restructuring, the 47th Fighter Squadron was told to change from being a training unit to a combat unit, and also to transition to the newest model of the A-10, the A-10C.

"It's a significant change in the way we do business," said Lt. Col. Jim Travis, the squadron's commander. "There's tactics that changed, there's equipment that changed, and the guys have risen to the challenge of not only knowing how to do the tactics with the equipment, but they're school house instructors that are going to combat-coded level of skill-sets. And then all of a sudden we get this new equipment. We had three years to convert and we're deploying at the year-and-a-half mark."

The deploying air crews and other squadron personnel will catch up with almost 250 fellow Reservists from Barksdale and Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., who left for Afghanistan in late December.

The deployed airmen represent various units from the local 917th Fighter Group and Whiteman's 442nd Fighter Wing.

The units maintain and operate the Warthog, the informal crew name for what the service calls the Thunderbolt II, which provides close air support to ground troops with a wife assortment of bombs and missiles and its best-known weapon, a fierce 30-millimeter Gatling gun.

"The purpose of A-10 combat power is to keep others safe," Col. Eric S. Overturf, 442nd Fighter Wing commander, told his deploying troops at the December departure, according to the wing's website. "Because you're going over there to employ this aircraft and its munitions, you are ensuring that a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine can return home safely to his family."

The wing, which took over the 917th Fighter Group a year ago, has deployed four times since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the east coast.

The deployed personnel are expected to return in the spring, or as Travis put it, "home by Easter."

Morale is high, he said, with many personnel eager to fill the deployment slots.

"A good challenge makes for good morale," he said. "Everybody around here walks around with fire in their heart."

Travis said his squadron's job "is to defend the Army mission." Drawing a comparison to the end of the movie "Saving Private Ryan," where air power saves the day for the embattled soldiers, he said his unit's goal is "to make sure they've got what it takes to be able to provide somebody's movie ending right."

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STARBASE Photo Gallery

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The A-10 is always a favorite stop for STARBASE. (U.S. Air Force photo) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 78-0615, still without nose art and fuselage art which is typical for 47th Fighter Squadron "Hogs".

Olson reaches 5,000 hours

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1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, waves as he taxis an A-10 Thunderbolt II to the runway at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. Olson led a four-ship sortie, and in doing so accumulated 5,000 hours in the A-10. To complete this feat took Olson more than twenty and a half years of flying the A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, taxis an A-10 Thunderbolt II to the runway at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. Olson led a four-ship sortie, and in doing so accumulated 5,000 hours in the A-10. To complete this feat took Olson more than twenty and a half years of flying the A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, touches down on the runway in an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. Olson had just returned from a four-ship sortie, and in doing so accumulated 5,000 hours in the A-10. To complete this feat took Olson more than twenty and a half years of flying the A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



1/17/2012 - Lt. Cols. Marc Olson and Patrick McKeever, both A-10 pilots assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, Col. John Breazeale, commander of the 917th Fighter Group, and Lt. Col. Robert Hetland, weapons officer for the 47th FS, strike their "Warrior" pose after returning from a four-ship sortie at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. That sortie pushed Olson over the 5,000 flying hours mark in an A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Note: THOR'S HAMMER ladder door art, LI'L ABNER fuselage cartoon art.



1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, performs a pre-flight inspection of an A-10 Thunderbolt II before a flight at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, stows an American Flag in an A-10 Thunderbolt II before a flight at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. Olson carried the burial flag of Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald L. Hutchison on the sortie. Hutchinson, who was a Bossier City resident, retired at Barksdale in 1978. During his career, Hutchinson flew the F-86, F-100, and the F-4 in Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



1/17/2012 - Lt. Col. Marc Olson, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 47th Fighter Squadron, is congratulated by Lt. Col. Travis Caughlin, deputy commander for maintenance, 917th Fighter Group, following his return from a four-ship sortie at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. The sortie pushed Olson over the 5,000 flying hours mark in an A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

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Waiting our turn

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1/12/2012 - Three B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing wait their turn on a busy runway as two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 917th Fighter Group make their approach at Barksdale Air Force base, La., Jan. 11, 2012. One of the A-10s landed while the other peeled off and landed later. (U.S Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

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