917th FG prepares for first combat deployment (updated version)

Members of the 917th Fighter Group from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., pose for a group photo at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2011. Approximately 100 members of the 917th FG deployed to Alaska after converting to a combat squadron from a training unit to prepare for an upcoming Air and Space Expeditionary rotation. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica D'Aurizio)

by SMSgt. Jessica D'Aurizio
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

8/17/2011 - Barksdale AFB, LA. -- The 917th Fighter Group from Barksdale AFB, La., deployed to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska the end of July and first part of August 2011 to prepare for an upcoming Air and Space Expeditionary rotation.

"This is the scrimmage before the game," said Lt. Col. Robert Hetland, who is an A-10 Weapons Officer and the project officer for Operation Distant Frontier. "The 47th Fighter Squadron which falls under the 917th FG has been a training squadron for over 15 years, and this deployment offers the opportunity for the Airmen to foster tactical skills and get in the mindset that will help them downrange."

Lt. Col. James Travis, the deployment commander agreed that this training was just what the squadron needed prior to their AEF rotation. The Alaska Range offers a different terrain for the pilots to train in and also allows them to employ a variety of weapons for training. This training included Laser Guided Bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, Mark 82s and 30mm rounds.

"We have mountains and hills at the Alaska range that offer a great simulation for our upcoming AEF," said Hetland. In addition to the terrain and threat conditions they are able to work with Joint Tactical Air Controllers. These controllers will be telling them where to put the weapons once forward deployed.

"We're in Alaska blocking, tackling, and performing drills to perfect our abilities," said Hetland. "This is what it is all about." The 917th FG moved aircraft, approximately 150 personnel and multiple tons of equipment to simulate a real world deployment.

Senior Master Sgt. Michael Thornton, the maintenance project officer for Operation Distant Frontier said," This operation was a test of our skills...without having the support we have become accustom to at home station. We have sharpened our ability relying on technical data and system knowledge while providing first class aircraft to meet all mission requirements. We did have a few challenges but we have stepped up for the challenge." The Distant Thunder deployment afforded the Airmen of the 917th Fighter Group an opportunity to train in conditions similar to those in the current area of responsibility.

"The opportunity to train with live munitions in mountainous terrain under challenging weather conditions was invaluable to our pilots for their AEF spin up," said Colonel John Breazeale, the 917th FG commander. "The total team effort would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of our maintenance and support team. I couldn't be prouder of our Airmen."

Source

Please note: This updated version, released on 307th Bomb Wing's public website, includes 17 new photos! More photos will be uploaded soon.

81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs caught on TDY in the UK - Photos by Rick Ingham

Later today, from Rick Ingham, United Kingdom, I got the permission to post his very impressive shots on Warthog News.



A-10C 81-0992. (Photo by Rick Ingham) Full size



A-10C 81-0992. (Photo by Rick Ingham) Full size



A-10C 82-0654. (Photo by Rick Ingham) Full size



A-10C 82-0654. (Photo by Rick Ingham))Full size



A-10C 82-0654. (Photo by Rick Ingham) Full size

Please note: More pictures will be uploaded soon. For all 27 related pictures please check Rick's album A10 Thunderbolt II 'Warthog' low level flying.

Please also visit Rick's website

Warthog News is supporting upcoming Japanese A-10 book

By Joachim Jacob

Last week, Nobuyoshi Noji, Editor, Department of military aviation magazine "J-Wings", Ikaros Publications Ltd, 2-3 Ichigaya Honmura-chou Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, Japan, asked me for cooperation in support of their upcoming new A-10 book.

This book will be one of the "famous military aircrafts of the world" series and it's scheduled to be published in October 2011.

Here's a short content preview:
- Mechanical feature of the A-10 (by Yoshitomo Aoki, aviation journalist)
Outline of aircraft, spec and performance, airframe structure, cockpit, maneuvering system, avionics equipment, engine and engine layout, weapon system and so on.
- Explanation on each type (Yoshitomo Aoki) A-10, YA-10B(N/AW), A-10C
- Unit deployment from 1976 to present (Toyokazu Matsuzaki, aviation journalist)
- Mission analysis (Kazuho Hamada, military journalist) CAS, BAI, COIN, FAC, CSAR.
- History of development (Yoshitomo Aoki)
- History of wartime activities (Toyokazu Matsuzaki)
- Interview of A-10 pilot (Ted Carlson)
- Time-line (Chronology)

If anyone wants to support this book with photos or any other infos, please contact me via e-mail. I will forward your offers to Nobuyoshi Noji.

Photo links: 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs caught on TDY in the UK

Today, Warthog News contributor Michael Tischer from Germany provided the following important photo links:

Hawgs in the wild! (Photos by Rick Ingham)

Hawgin' all the action at Low Level (Photos by Pete Fletch)

A10s Lakenheath 9-8-11 (updated with a few more) (Photos by "Stu")

Low Level Hawgs-Monday 15th August 2011 (Photos by "Arno 01")

Please note: More related photo links will be posted soon. Meanwhile, I will contact some of the photographers to get permissions to post at least some of their shots on Warthog News.

Liberty Wing says farewell to A-10s

Released by 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs



8/18/2011 - An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, prepares to take off from RAF Lakenheath, Aug. 17, 2011. The A-10s were at RAF Lakenheath in support of a U.K.-led exercise. The A-10 is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform and has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lausanne Morgan)

Source

Please Note: More pictures will be uploaded soon.

Pictures of the two 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs on display at MAKS 2011 in Moscow

Visitors look at the U.S. aircraft, the A-10 Thunderbolt-II during the MAKS 2011 airshow in the town of Zhukovsky, Moscow region, Russia, 17 August 2011. The 10th airshow MAKS 2011 presents more then 800 participants from 40 countries of the world. (Photo by EPA / Yuri Kochetkov)

Please note: This post will be updated soon when more photos are available. I would be very grateful for any further picture links.

Picture gallery: A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft seen over Norfolk skies

The A-10 and members of the 81st Fighter Squadron on temporary duty at RAF Lakenheath. (Photo by Eastern Daily Press)

By Rebecca Gough
Eastern Daily Press
Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 9.04 AM

The sight of an unfamiliar plane in Norfolk's skies has delighted aircraft enthusiasts over recent weeks, thanks to the arrival of a visiting squadron.

More than 25 American personnel and 10 A-10 Thunderbolt II planes from the 81st Fighter Squadron, usually based at Spangdahlem in Germany, have been temporarily stationed at RAF Lakenheath.

More commonly known by its nickname "warthog", the A-10 left England in the early 1990s. For the past fortnight, however, the planes have become a regular sight over the county as they have taken off from RAF Lakenheath, near Brandon, on practice missions.

See Wednesday's paper for more.

Source (including 6 photos)

RAF Lakenheath hosts A-10 media day

I've just overlooked this press release, released by 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs on Monday:

Release Number: 030811

8/15/2011 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom -- RAF Lakenheath is hosting a media day Aug. 16, 2011 at 12:15 p.m., for media interested in covering the 81st Fighter Squadron aircraft and personnel on temporary duty here from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Participating media representatives will have an opportunity to view A-10 aircraft and meet with members of the squadron for questions about the unit's mission and aircraft.

Members of the press interested in attending the event must contact the 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office no later than 9 a.m. Aug. 16, 2011, with the following information:

- Last name, first name
- Date of birth
- Name of media outlet
- Verification that proper photo identification will be brought to the base

Please note: Identification cards must have an expiration date visible on the card, and all vehicles must have current documents, to include road tax.

For more information contact the 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs at 01638-52-2151 or 48fw.pa@lakenheath.af.mil.

Source

Two A-10Cs on display at MAKS 2011 in Moscow

By Joachim Jacob

According to an USAFE news article, there are two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs as static displays for the MAKS 2011 International Aviation & Space Salon at Zhukovsky Air Field near Moscow (August 16-21). Source

May be both aircraft are from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

I would be very grateful to get any shot!

Making the grade: 188th excels during inspection, earns overall 'satisfactory' rating

by Airman 1st Class John Hiller and Capt. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/10/2011 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Airmen across the base felt a sense of relief and accomplishment when more than a year's toil came to fruition following an Air Force Air Combat Command Phase I Operational Readiness Inspection conducted at the 188th Fighter Wing July 16-17.

The 188th received a "Satisfactory" rating from ACC Inspector General Team evaluators following the inspection.

The inspection examined deployment ability, including deployment readiness, deployment processing, force protection, information operations and command and control.

While the satisfactory rating is the third highest a unit can receive in the tiered grading system used by the Air Force, Col. Tom Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander expressed pride in the Flying Razorbacks' performance amid a rapid pace and high operations tempo work environment. The 188th graded at either Excellent or Outstanding in 70 percent of the 37 major areas inspected by the IG team.

"Our unit performed well under pressure and handled each situation with professionalism," Col. Anderson said. "We overcame several challenges that were not part of the inspection. Our Airmen maintained their poise and continued without missing a beat. I'm very proud of how they performed."

One of those challenges the 188th was forced to surmount was ]a malfunction of the LogMod software that tracks all facets of a deployment. The software failed early in the inspection and forced 188th personnel to manually track all aspects of the deployment the first day of the inspection.

Colonel Anderson said the software's malfunction was not part of the inspection and called it "bad luck."

Airmen also had to cope with extreme temperatures during aircraft generation as well as in the cargo deployment area. Temperatures on the flightline reached 140 F. Despite the extreme temperatures, the 188th suffered no heat-stress related injuries during the exercise.

Despite encountering multiple obstacles, Col. Anderson said there were areas in which the unit achieved perfect scores.

One of those areas was in the preparation of "mobility folders" for 331 personnel, which each contained 76 items, accounting for more than 25,000 documents.

The day before the ACC Inspector General's team revealed the 188th' scores for the ORI, Lt. Col. Scott Langdon, officer in charge of the personnel deployment function, had a feeling that the unit performed well.

"Right now there's a lot of high morale in PDF since the inspection," Colonel Langdon said. "We were pretty tired before the ORI started, but we can see now that all the hard work was worth it."

Another challenge faced by the PDF staff was that most Airmen came from other specialties, and had to be trained in processing for personnel deployment, Colonel Langdon said.

Airmen from the 188th Civil Engineering Squadron filled a number of roles from delivering briefings in the wing assembly area to maintaining accountability of deploying personnel, he said.

The recruiting office was also lauded for their work in the eligibility section, he said. Colonel Langdon said inspectors examined 60 records at random and found zero discrepancies.

"Honestly, I wish I could go down the list and brag on every single person," he said. "Going in to this I felt we were an outstanding PDF, but now I believe it's been proven."

Colonel Langdon said one of the innovations the wing used to succeed was to fully integrate the wing assembly area (WAA) into the PDF. The WAA isn't a new concept. The 188th got the idea from the 132nd Fighter Wing based in Des Moines, Iowa - but it usually stands on its own, he said.

There were challenges in dealing with accountability, Col. Langdon said, but his team handled each wrinkle the inspectors threw at them.

The WAA and PDF processed 343 airmen through their area during the ORI, and did so at a faster pace than they rehearsed during practice exercises, Langdon said.

"We found it greatly improved communications," he said. "That's why we were able to hit our processing times every time. Not a minute early, not a minute late, but dead on."

Another area in which the 188th excelled was network defense. The unit received a 100 percent score in network defense, which tested the 188th's ability to respond to cyber threats, such as computer viruses.

Also, all seven simulated cargo aircraft departures were completed on time with no safety violations.

The inspection was the first ORI for the 188th since 2005 before the unit underwent an aircraft transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the A-10C Thunderbolt II. Colonel Anderson said the unit is still building experience in the maintenance of the A-10s.

Colonel Anderson said maintenance of the F-16 was a more automated, streamlined process, while the A-10 process involved a more hands-on approach, taking equipment apart, troubleshooting, correcting and then reassembling equipment.

Colonel Anderson said a safety violation could be as small as the inability to account for a single "D" battery that is listed as a part of an aircraft's cargo.

Despite his high praise for the men and women off the 188th, Anderson said there is always room for improvement, which is the purpose of the ORI.

The second phase of the ORI will require the 188th to prepare for and execute simulated combat missions while under simulated attack by a hostile force.

Source