Bye, Hawgs: Ceremony Marks the End of an Era at Willow Grove

By Bill Shull
NBC Philadelphia
First Published: Jun 7, 2010 7:35 PM EDT
Updated 10:45 AM EDT, Tue, Jun 8, 2010

If you've ever been in the Horsham area and heard what sounds like a loud vacuum cleaner overhead, then you know the A-10.

You would also know it if you were in an Iraq Army tank in the first Gulf War. Ever since that conflict, the A-10 has earned a reputation as the best ground attack aircraft in the US Air Force and maybe in the world. Since 1988, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 111th Fighter Wing has the been flying the aircraft, affectionately known as the Warthog or just 'Hawg', from Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.

On Sunday, a ceremony was held to mark the final flight of the A-10 from the Montgomery County base. 4 "Hawgs" took part in the final ceremonial flyby, which ended with the planes taxiing in under a traditional water cannon salute.

The final four pilots were also doused with a fire hose and champagne to mark their final flights. The end of the A-10 is also another nail in the coffin for the future of JRB Willow Grove.

The remaining Marines and Navy squadrons are scheduled to move to McGuire AFB in Burlington County at the end of the year.

The last A-10's will eventually be sent to other squadrons around the country. The 111th pilots will either train to fly other aircraft, move to non-flying jobs or retire.

Source



Please note: Associated to this news article is a slideshow with 13 excellent shots, all taken by Bill Shull / NBC Philadephia! Because they are not downloadable by right mouse click, I made screenshots to save these historic pictures:



The Final Four A-10 pilots from the 111th Fighter Squadron walk to the their planes for the last time. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



Maj. Scott Hresco, call sign "Spartacus," rolls up his sleeves before getting to work in the Cockpit. Note the 103rd Fighter Squadron patch on his right arm. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



Ground crews prepare the last four 111th A-10's for their ceremonial final flights. Pictured are A-10s 78-0658 (foreground) and 80-0214. Note: I can't identify the third Hog in the background. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



Ready to rock! Pictured is A-10 80-0152 (see the aircraft's serial number on the ACES II ejection seat). (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



One of the final A-10's taxis out to the runway. Pictured is A-10 78-0658. Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



The final A-10 to depart Willow Grove. Pictured is A-10 80-0214. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



The final A-10 three-ship flyby. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



A-10 taxis in front of the 111th Fighter Wing hanger. Pictured is A-10 80-0230. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



Water cannon salute. Pictured is A-10 80-0152. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



The last A-10 to land at Willow Grove. Pictured is A-10 80-0214. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



A-10 landing after the final flyby. Pictured is A-10 80-0152. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



The Final Four toasting the end of an era. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)



Maj. Griffin getting a champagne bath from his son. Note: It must be Lt. Colonel Bill "Griff" Griffin. (Photo by Bill Shull / NBC Philadelphia)

See also:
Taking the final flight

Taking the final flight

Ceremonies and a bittersweet celebration marked the end of an era for the 111th Fighter Wing.

By Annie Tasker
Bucks County Courier Times
June 07, 2010 03:02 AM

After 86 years of flying operations, the 111th Fighter Wing made its final flight Sunday at a ceremony many members called bittersweet.

While the Navy is leaving the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Horsham next year, the 111th, part of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, will remain there and transition into a non-flight operation. Its A-10 Thunderbolt II aircrafts will be distributed to other military units during the summer.

The fighter wing marked its last flying mission Sunday with a day of ceremonies and celebrations at the base for its members and their families.

Col. James Blaydon, Col. Howard Eissler, Lt. Col. William Griffin and Lt. Col. Scott Hreso took to the sky in A-10s for "fini flights," an airman's traditional final flight and subsequent dousing with a hose and a bottle of champagne. Earlier in the day, about 180 airmen received framed letters of appreciation as part of the unit's first Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony to recognize men and women who have been deployed for least 30 consecutive days since 9/11. Their families were recognized as well; spouses were given rosewood pen and pencil sets, and children took home personalized dog tags.

The unit that led to the 111th Fighter Wing's creation was established in 1924 as a Philadelphia-based Army observation squadron. After several upgrades, reincarnations and missions, the 111th planted roots at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station in 1963.

Seeing the end of flight operations was, for at least one long-time local, like losing a childhood friend.

Dan Teker of Warwick, who came to Sunday's ceremonies with his wife, Lisa, said one of his favorite things to do as a kid was ride his bike out to the air station. His mother joked that the base made a terrific baby sitter.

"I would sit here days upon days just watching the planes," said Teker, now a member of the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association's aircraft restoration team. "It's just, I don't know, part of my childhood. And now it's going away. It's sad."

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended in 2005 that the base close and military operations move out, though it was later decided that the 111th would stay at Willow Grove in a non-flight capacity.

That capacity has yet to be determined.

"It's a little bittersweet," said Lt. Colonel Mike Shenk, a pilot whose 10 deployments have taken him to Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and who was among those honored at the Hometown Heroes ceremony.

The Perkasie resident said he flew his fini flight on Friday. He guessed that his next mission would involve a desk job.

As the Shenk family ate lunch in a hangar, the airman's mother, JoAnn, called the day's events bittersweet, too.

"But we're very, very proud, too," she said.

The 111th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Tony Carrelli, also called Sunday's events bittersweet for a unit whose identity has long been rooted in flight.

Still, "we have great people here and they can do anything," he said. "They're just machines out there. It's the people who fly. It's the people who bring them to life."

Associated pictures:



Three A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" of the 111th Fighter Wing fly over airmen for its last combat training mission after 86 years of unit operations Sunday afternoon at the Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Horsham Township. (Photo by Carl Kosola / Staff Photographer)



Lt. Colonel Bill "Griff" Griffin of the 111th Fighter Wing walks past airmen to present the American Flag that was flown on the wing's last combat training mission Sunday afternoon at the Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Horsham Township. (Photo by Carl Kosola / Staff Photographer)



Colonel Howard "Chip" Eissler of the 111th Fighter Wing gives thumbs up from his Thunderbolt II "Warthog" after flying in his last combat training mission Sunday afternoon at the Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Horsham Township. (Photo by Carl Kosola / Staff Photographer)



Four A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" of the 111th Fighter Wing taxi themselves in after flying in their last combat training mission after 86 years of unit operations Sunday afternoon at the Willow Grove Air Reserve Station in Horsham Township. (Photo by Carl Kosola / Staff Photographer)

Source

Please note: This news article is already hot-linked with the headline "Taking the final flight--ceremonies and a bittersweet celebration marked the end of an era for the 111th Fighter Wing" in the local news coverage section on 111th Fighter Wing's public website. But at the moment, there's no related official news article by 111th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. And so I hope, on their website Courier Times will release larger versions of these historic pictures.

See also:
Bye, Hawgs: Ceremony Marks the End of an Era at Willow Grove

Awesome formation flight shot of Moody A-10Cs, released in USAF's photostream on Flickr

The following air-to-air picture (never seen before by me) was taken on March 16, 2010, and released in USAF's photostream on Flickr on June 4, 2010:



Original caption: MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Three A-10C Thunderbolt II Aircraft from the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadron fly in formation during a training session here March 16. Theses aircrafts fly in several different formations and also shot flairs during their training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res (3000 x 2000 !!!)

Note: Pictured are A-10Cs 81-0967 from the 74th Fighter Squadron, 79-0157 from the 75th Fighter Squadron, and 79-0159 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. By the way: The original caption includes some typos, especially "flairs" instead of "flares".

Source

Special thanks to Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman for this awesome shot!

Farewell Captain Kennedy

6/5/2010 - Col. John J. Mooney III, commander, 917th Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., presents an engraved chrome-plated 30mm shell from an A-10 Thunderbolt II as a parting gift to Capt. Stephanie Kennedy, executive officer, 917th Wing, during her farewell luncheon at a local eatery in Bossier City, La., May 27, 2010. Approximately 40 co-workers and friends gathered to say goodbye to Capt. Kennedy who is leaving Barksdale after three years of dedicated service. She will move forward with her career at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Capt. Marlette Loughmiller will act as the interim executive officer until a replacement can be hired. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Source

Latest 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's OEF combat operations covered in Combat Aircraft Monthly magazine

In "Combat Aircraft Monthly", July 2010 issue, aviation photographer and photojournalist Neil Dunridge from United Kingdom has placed a news article about the latest 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's combat deployment to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Neil, meanwhile also one of my Warthog News contributors, had the opportunity to visit Kandahar Airfield to take some exclusive shots in February 2010. See also: Photojournalist Neil Dunridge reports from Kandahar Airfield

Publisher's online preview:

Baltimore Hawgs at war
In early 2010 the 104th Fighter Squadron became the first Air National Guard unit to deploy to Kandahar Airfield, the new home of the A-10 in Operation 'Enduring Freedom'. Neil Dunridge provides an exclusive insight into the unit's operations over Afghanistan



UK edition's cover: AFGHAN AIR OPS - A-10 CLOSE AIR SUPPORT



US edition's cover: AFGHAN AIR OPS - A-10C on the front line

Note: "Combat Aircraft Monthly" is published by Ian Allan Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom

66th WPS A-10Cs caught at Nellis June 3, 2010

On June 3, 2010, at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith from United States had the opportunity to take the following shots of A-10Cs from the 66th Weapons Squadron (tailcode WA):



A-10C 79-0204 from the 66th WPS. Note the different shape of the darker grey painting on the right engine nacelle. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 80-0200 from the 66th WPS. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 80-0229 from the 66th WPS, marked 66 WPS as the 66th Weapons Squadron commander's jet. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 81-0977 from the 66th WPS, marked 57 OG as the 57th Operations Group commander's jet. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size

422nd TES A-10Cs caught at Nellis May 21, 2010

On May 21, 2010, at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith had the opportunity to take the following shots of A-10Cs from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (tailcode OT):



A-10C 82-0658 from the 422nd TES. AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 10. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 79-0199 from the 422nd TES. Sniper XR targeting pod on station 10. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size

Airman's quick thinking warrants safety award

SrA. David Kirkbride was awarded the ACC Weapons Safety Award for his quick thinking and response during a safety incident while deployed to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in February 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo)

By Lt. Col. Rolf Mammen
127th Maintenance Squadron commander

Senior Airman David Kirkbride, a 127th Maintenance Squadron munitions systems specialist, was recently presented the ACC Weapons Safety Award. His actions and cool demeanor during a safety incident on a during the 127th Wing's A-10 winter basing temporary duty to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, prevented possible personal injury or loss of life and damage to Air Force Property.

On February 2, while teamed with and working inside the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron's Munitions Storage Area, SrA. Kirkbride and two other crew members were tasked to remove and process LUU-19 Illumination Flares from a SUU-25 Flare Dispenser. The LUU-19 flare is fairly large and cumbersome to work with; approxi-mately 36 inches long, 5 inches in diameter and weighing over 35 pounds. Once deployed by an aircraft, they are designed to illuminate the battlefield for the warfighter en-gaged in ground combat.

While removing a LUU-19 flare, one of the crew members pulled on the flare accidently initiating the timer and release mechanism. The timer deploys a parachute after a predetermined amount of time and drop distance which, in turn, activates an igniter setting off the flare. Hearing the timer start the crew member panicked. He finished pulling the flare out of the SUU-25 dispenser and rolled it out of the processing facility and started to run.

Airman Kirkbride ran over to the LUU-19 flare and held the timing mechanism down tightly per the technical order guidance until the cycle was finished, thus preventing the ejection of the timer release mechanism and the initiator from firing. Another crew member taped the mechanism securely to the flare housing and it was marked it for disposal.

Kirkbride's quick action and recall of the Technical Data Warnings and Cautions he received during his safety briefing ultimately kept Air Force personnel and assets out of harm's way. He was officially presented the award by Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski, 127th Wing commander, on May 26 during commander's call.

Source

Please note: Today, I extracted this news article from the "Prevailing Wind" (the official newspaper of the 127th Wing, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan), June 2010 public online PDF issue. This article was never released in the 127th Wing's website's news section.

A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for May 2010

by Joachim Jacob


From the "Airpower Summaries", released as U.S. Air Forces Central press releases on USAFCENT's official public website, for May 2010 I extracted and edited all available info related to A-10 Thunderbolt II combat missions in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). The mostly daily airpower summaries for OEF and OIF are provided by Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC) officials at Al Udeid AB, Qatar.

May 1:

Gereshk, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When, friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire, pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy activity.

Soltani, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided close air support and armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of presence. Pilots followed up with shows of force, with flares launched, that allowed friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. The actions were confirmed successful by ground controllers.

May 2:

Orgun-E, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. Pilots released a precision-guided munition against an enemy target. Joint terminal attack.

Kandahar, Reginal Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. The pilots conducted a show of force, expending flares, to deter enemy action. Ground controllers declared the show of force successful.

Ghazni, Regional Command-East
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted a show of presence. Pilots later conducted shows of force, with flares launched, that allowed friendly forces to break contact with enemy forces. The actions were confirmed successful by ground controllers.

May 3:

No A-10 info

May 4:

Sar Banader, Regional Command-South
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and conducted aerial surveillance for suspicious activity. Friendly forces reported receiving enemy fire. Aircrews and pilots released precision-guided munitions and conducted strafing runs against enemy fighting positions, an enemy vehicle, a mortar position and an enemy weapons cache. Ground controllers and Joint terminal attack controllers reported all

Bastion, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the shows of force successful.

Qalat, Regional Command-East
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force that ground controllers determined was successful.

May 5:

No A-10 info

May 6:

Abu Kala, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, which ground controllers declared successful.

May 7:

Ghazni, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Friendly ground forces reported nearby enemy forces and pilots conducted a show of presence and show of force to deter enemy activity. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the actions successful.

Bastion, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, expending flares, to deter enemy action when rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire were reported. Ground controllers declared the shows of force successful.

May 8:

Surkhabad, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to break contact with and deter enemy fire against friendly forces. When enemy fire resumed, pilots conducted cannon-fire strafing runs against enemy positions and stopped enemy fire. Joint terminal attack controllers declared all actions successful.

Gereshk, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, and a cannon-fire strafing run to deter enemy activity. Ground controllers declared the shows of force successful when enemy fire ceased.

May 9:

Sangin, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots observed an improvised explosive device detonation and conducted shows of force, with flares launched, that ground controllers declared successful.

May 10:

Sangin, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews released precision-guided munitions, made cannon fire strafing runs and fired rockets as required by joint terminal attack controllers and ground commanders. The actions were declared successful.

Gereshk, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. At ground controllers' request, pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, which were reported as successful.

May 11:

Surkhabad, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly-forces. At ground controllers' request, pilots conducted a show of force.

May 12:

Remak, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch and close air support for friendly forces. Both aircraft conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity. Ground controllers confirmed shows of force were successful.

May 13:

Remak, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and F-15E aircrews provided armed overwatch and close air support for friendly forces. Pilots received confirmed coordinates of an enemy fighting position. A-10 pilots released precision-guided munitions and made a cannon fire strafing run against the enemy position that destroyed it. F-15E aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, to deter further enemy fire against friendly forces. Ground controllers declared all actions successful when no further activity was noted.

May 14:

Ghecko, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for Coalition forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, which joint terminal attack controllers reported as successful.

May 15:

Balocan, Regional Command-South
Throughout the day, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and an extraction operation. A-10 pilots released a precision-guided munition to destroy an enemy vehicle. Later, pilots conducted a show of force during a military extraction operation to deter enemy activity. F/A-18E aircrews made strafing runs against enemy positions when friendly forces came under enemy fire. The enemy fire ceased. All actions were declared successful by joint terminal attack controllers.

Surkhabad, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy activity after friendly forces reported an attack. Ground controllers declared the action successful.

May 16:

No A-10 info

May 17:

No A-10 info

May 18:

Kandahar, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt pilots provided armed overwatch, close air support for friendly forces and a convoy escort. Pilots conducted shows of force, with flares, to break contact with hostile forces. Joint terminal attack controllers called the shows of force successful.

Tarin Kowt, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots made a cannon-fire strafing run against an enemy sniper position to deter enemy activity. Joint terminal attack controllers confirmed the pilot's action was successful.

May 19:

Lashkar Gah, Regional Command-South
U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews observed enemy forces setting up improvised explosive devices and released a precision-guided munition against the enemy position. They followed up with a strafing run to eliminate the threat to friendly forces. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the

A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and a friendly convoy that encountered an improvised explosive device. The pilots conducted shows of force, with numerous flares, in order to deter enemy small arms fire in the vicinity of the convoy. Ground controllers declared the shows of force successful when enemy fire ceased and contact with enemy forces was broken,

May 20:

Ghazni, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Aircrews successfully executed a show of force to deter suspicious activity. Ground controllers determined the action was successful.

May 21:

Chahar Bagh, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. While overhead, the pilots observed enemy forces emplacing improvised explosive devices and firing against friendly forces. The point of origin of the enemy fire was confirmed and pilots released a precision-guided munition against the enemy position. Joint terminal attack controllers declared the engagement successful when enemy fire ceased.

Kandahar, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. When friendly forces reported enemy fire and confirmed the point of origin, pilots released a precision-guided munition against the enemy position and destroyed it. Pilots later conducted a show of force, with flares expended, to deter enemy forces activity. Ground controllers reported all actions successful.

Musa Qala, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. The pilots conducted shows of presence, which ground controllers determined were successful.

May 22:

No A-10 info

May 23:

No A-10 info

May 24:

Orgun-E, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for Coalition forces. Pilots conducted a show of force, with flares launched, to deter enemy action. Ground controllers reported the show of force successful.

May 25:

Chahar Bagh, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots and U.S. Navy F/A-18E aircrews provided armed overwatch for Coalition and Friendly forces. Pilots and aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, to deter enemy action when Coalition forces reported enemy fire. A-10 pilots followed this action with cannon-fire strafing runs and a final show of force. Ground controllers reported all actions successful.

May 26:

Chahar Bagh, Regional Command-South
Coalition operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Operators observed enemy forces firing a weapon at friendly forces and received ground controllers' permission to engage enemy forces. Operators released a missile and eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

Later, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots, U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircrews and Coalition aircrews provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots and aircrews conducted shows of force, one with flares launched, to stop enemy fire, deter an imminent attack against friendly forces and deter enemy activity in the area. The shows of force were determined successful by ground controllers.

Ghecko, Regional Command-East
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy small-arms fire. The show of force was determined successful by Coalition and joint terminal attack controllers.

May 27:

Surkhabad, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted shows of force to break contact with and deter enemy action. When enemy fire resumed, pilots conducted a cannon-fire strafing run against the enemy position, which eliminated the threat to friendly forces.

May 28:

No A-10 info

May 29:

Soltani, Regional Command-East
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots conducted a show of presence, which ground controllers declared successful.

Kandahar, Regional Command-East
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch and close air support for Coalition forces. Pilots conducted a show of force to deter enemy action.

May 30:

Mushan, Regional Command-South
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots were passed coordinates for an enemy position and released a precision-guided munition, which eliminated the enemy position. Joint terminal attack controllers called the engagement successful.

Kandahar, Regional Command-South
A-10 pilots provided armed overwatch for friendly forces. Pilots coordinated with Coalition Joint terminal attack controllers to eliminate an enemy position that presented a threat to friendly forces. Precision-guided munitions were released against the enemy position and destroyed it. Pilots also conducted a show of force to deter any enemy action in the area.

May 31:

No A-10 info.

See also:
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for April 2010
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for March 2010
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for February 2010
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for January 2010
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for December 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for November 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for October 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for September 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for August 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for July 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for June 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for May 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for April 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for March 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for February 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for January 2009
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for December 2008
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for November 2008
A-10 Afghanistan Combat Summary for October 2008

Memorial Day Weekend 2010 A-10 events

In a news article "Air show includes demonstrations, aircraft tours", May 29, 2010, 6:02 p.m. CDT, Sarah Sontag, Columbia Missourian, reports from The Salute to Veterans Air Show, held at Columbia Regional Airport:



Captain Joe Shetterly flys over Columbia Regional Airport on May 28 in a special Air Show performance honoring military veterans. Shetterly demonstrated the capablility of the A-10 Thunderbolt II by rolling and dive-bombing above the airfield. (Photo by Daniel Longar, Columbia Missourian)



A-10 Thunderbolt II flown by Captain Joe Shetterly, above, and the WW II P-38 Lightning flown by Kevin Eldridge, below, join together in the Heritage Flight at Columbia Regional Airport on May 28 in a special performance for military veterans. A heritage flight is a tribute to the legacy and future of military aircrews. (Photo by Daniel Longar, Columbia Missourian)

Source 1
Source 2

In a news article "Young and old pay tribute", Janese Heavin, The Columbia Daily Tribune, wrote:

[...] The Thunderbolt' pilot, Capt. Joe "Rifle" Shetterly, no doubt was out to impress as he rolled the aircraft in the sky and demonstrated nosedives, sideway flights and other maneuvers.

When it came time to participate in the annual Heritage Flight, though, Shetterly let a classic World War II P-38 Lightning fly slightly ahead of him as they circled the crowd. [...]

Source

In a news article "Honoring heroes" Joe Callahan, Ocala Staff writer, reports:

Three years ago when the Scheer family moved to Marion County, they had no idea how much residents supported the 46,000 veterans living in the area.

They were among thousands of people who gathered on a hot, humid Memorial Day morning at Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to salute the men and women who died for their country.

Among those being honored was Air Force pilot Maj. Jonathan "Cosmo" Scheer, 31, who died on Feb. 25, 2004, when the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" he was flying crashed.

He was training soldiers heading to Afghanistan at Eilson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Rev. Ron Scheer, along with his wife, Carol Lynn, moved to Ocala in 2007, three years after their son's death, to lead Forest Lutheran Church.

During the hourlong ceremony, the Scheer family walked slowly through the park, passing a "Field Cross" and replica of an eternal flame to lay a wreath in their son's honor.

Carol Lynn Scheer thought the military flyover by the Leeward Air Ranch Warbirds, which ended the event, was special.

"It was a moving experience to see the flyover because he [her son] was a pilot," she said.

The event was sponsored by Marion County Veterans. [...]



Carol Lynn Scheer and Ron Scheer, parents of Jonathan Scheer who died in an A-10 crash in 2004, along with the family of Sgt. Chad Lake who died in Iraq are escorted to the wreath and memorial flame by Marines during the Honoring all Fallen Heroes program at the Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala, Florida, on Monday May 31, 2010. (Photo by Alan Youngblood, Staff photographer)

Source

Related background info:

February 25, 2004: At approximately 8:30 p.m., an A-10 aircraft crashed near the Chena Flood Control Project, killing pilot Capt. Jonathan 'Cosmo' Scheer. A memorial service was held on March 1 at 11 a.m. at the base chapel. Source

On June 1, 2010, in a news article "County remembers fallen heroes" Jake Lowary, The Leaf-Chronicle wrote: [...] Retired Air Force Maj. Bill Summers, who also represents Ward 10 on the City Council, was the keynote speaker and reflected on his memories of friends he served with, two of whom died in the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon.

"It's a beautiful day," Summers said. "It's a day under the flag of freedom people fought and died for."

Summers shared the stories of Lonnie Ledet, who dreamt of being a fighter pilot and died when his A-10 Warthog crashed in a training mission; Lt. Gen. Timothy Maude, the highest ranking military officer killed in the Pentagon attack who was scheduled to move to a new, and unaffected, portion of the U.S. military headquarters the following day; and Bob Hymel a career B-52 pilot who survived a crash in Vietnam only to be killed by another plane in 2001, Summers said. [...]

Source

In a news article "Reflection, Relaxation and a Taste of Summer", Robert D. McFadden from New York Times reported May 31, 2010: [...] A 100-foot American flag was unfurled over the deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum as hundreds of veterans and their families joined crowds of visitors and service personnel in an elaborate and poignant ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier on Manhattan's West Side. It concluded with a flyover by two A-10 Thunderbolt jet fighters in the "missing man" formation. [...]

Source