Warthog Deployments

A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part I

2010-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

General A-10 deployment overview and A-10 deployments to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

By Joachim Jacob (all author rights reserved)

Please note: Because I'm still in the process to offer related manuscripts to potential publishers, please understand that I will only post some basic deployment info (and not my full knowledge). On the other hand, I would be very grateful for any additional info or corrections from A-10 professionals and also from A-10 enthusiasts.

On March 19, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) began with a so-called "Shock and Awe" campaign. Involved A-10 units operated out of Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait (332nd Air Expeditionary Wing), and Prince Hassan AB (H5), Jordan (387th Air Expeditionary Group as a subordinate of the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base – Azraq, also known as Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base, and dubbed Azraq Air Base by the U.S. military).

Deployed A-10 Units

On April 30, 2003, U.S. Central Command's Assessment and Analysis Division released an unclassified 16-page report "Operation IRAQI FREEDOM – By The Numbers", signed by Lt. Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, at that time (November 2001 - August 2003) Commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces (U.S. CENTAF), Shaw AFB, South Carolina, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

T. Michael Moseley as a general (retired August 1, 2008) Hi-res

This report was produced at CENTAF-PSAB, KSA (Prince Sultan AB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) for the Commander, Central Air Forces (CENTAF).

The purpose of this report was: "To establish a single source of aggregated facts about Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from the Combined Forces Air Component Commander's (CFACC) perspective. This report is based on information collected during operations at the Combined Air Operations Center, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additional reach-back support elements contributed to refinement of the data and tracking. We have consolidated numerous sources of information, cross-referencing each to select a single set of usable numbers. While our goal was to select the actual number wherever possible, in some cases the 'best' number available from the most credible source was selected."

The scope of this report is 0300Z 19 March 2003 (ATO M/D-Day) until 0259Z 18 April 2003 (ATO P1/D+29), a total of 720 hours inclusive.

Source

According to this official report, 60 A/OA-10s were "deployed for OIF": 47 A-10s from the Air National Guard, and 12 A-10s from the Air Force Reserve. But at first: 47 + 12 = 59 (and not 60!). Secondly, this source "ignored" an undisclosed number of A-10s from the active 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Fighter Wing, Pope AFB, South Carolina, also deployed for OIF.

BTW: This report also includes the following background info:
- 4 Apr 03 First basing of coalition fixed wing aircraft in Iraq, A-10s at Tallil Airfield.
- Psychological Operations (PSYOP): 32 A-10 Leaflet Missions
- A-10 Mission Capable rates: 85.0
- Manned Coalition aircraft losses: 1 A-10

Deployed A-10s

A very large but still undisclosed number of A-10s were deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait - main operating base for A-10s during OIF:

An undisclosed number of A-10s of an Air National Guard A-10 "Rainbow Team" (originally deployed for Operation Southern Watch):

190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (Idaho ANG), Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho (tailcode ID)
172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek (tailcode BC)
103rd Fighter Squadron, 111th Fighter Wing (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS (tailcode PA)

Later joined by an undisclosed number of A-10s from the 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (tailcode FT).

Later also joined by twelve A-10s from the 303rd Fighter Squadron, 442nd Fighter Wing (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (tailcode KC).

Additionally, eighteen A-10s (eleven from the 131st Fighter Squadron, 104th Fighter Wing (Massachusetts ANG), Barnes MAP (tailcode MA), and seven from the 118th Fighter Squadron, 103rd Fighter Wing (Connecticut ANG), Bradley ANGB (tailcode CT) were deployed to the 187th Air Expeditionary Group at Prince Hassan AB (H5), Jordan, as part of the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing. For details please check: A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part II

The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

In November 1998, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group (332nd AEG) was activated at Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait, to replace the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional). The 332nd AEG played a key role during Operation Southern Watch (after Operation Desert Storm), and later also during Operation Enduring Freedom. Just before OIF, the 332nd AEG growed up to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. During OIF's main combat phase (which officially ended May 1, 2003), the 332nd AEW was commanded by Col. Tom Jones.

Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait (Satellite photo by Google Earth)

This picture is only one of 13 known official USAF shots of a fly-by of A-10s over Ahmed Al Jaber AB just after OIF's main combat phase. From front to back: A-10 0282 from the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing (ACC), Pope AFB (tailcode FT); A-10 276 from the 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (Idaho ANG), Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho (tailcode ID); A-10 222 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek (tailcode BC); A-10 ... from the 103rd Fighter Squadron, 111th Fighter Wing (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS (tailcode PA); A-10 ... from the 303rd Fighter Squadron, 442nd Fighter Wing (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (tailcode KC). (U.S. Air Force photo) Full size

Later during OIF, A-10s from Ahmed Al Jaber AB were forward-deployed at first to Tallil AB, Iraq (392nd Air Expeditionary Group, then 407th Air Expeditionary Group), and some time later also to Kirkuk Regional Air Base (KRAB), Iraq (506th Air Expeditionary Group).

Note: During the last couple of years, I archived a huge lot of related info, including public USAF photos and also shots from private contacts. This post will be further updated, at least a little bit.

A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part II

2008-10-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

"Silent" deployment to Prince Hassan Air Base (H5), Jordan

Latest update: November 28, 2009

By Joachim Jacob (all author rights reserved)
Please also note the copyrights of posted photos taken by Warthog News contributors.

Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Air Bases (Map by Scramble)

Originally, all Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment locations in the Kingdom of Jordan were officially "classified" or at least "undisclosed" by the U.S. military, mainly related to diplomatical demands by Jordan as the host nation. But in fact, the U.S. military itself disclosed all of these locations. At first by some "leaks" (personal e-mails), and later also by semi-official or official reports, including some official USAF news photos.

In an article "Joint Fires Support, the Joint Fires Element and the CGRS: Keys to Success for CJSOTF-West", published in Special Warfare, April 2005, Col. Robert B. Green (director of the joint-fires element for CJSOTF-W during initial combat operations in OIF) explained:

During the early, pre-deployment planning phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the combined-force commander gave Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-West, or CJSOTF-W, the mission of interdicting ground-based time-sensitive targets, or TSTs, in the western desert of Iraq in support of the combined force air-component commander, or CFACC, and the CFACC's counter-SCUD mission.

The mission marked two firsts: (1) For the first time, the CFACC had operational control of an extensive piece of ground — the entire western desert of Iraq, which was his assigned area of operations, or AO; (2) CJSOTF-W, a subcomponent of the Combined Force Special Operations Component commander, or CFSOCC, was designated as the supporting commander for the mission — the first instance of a SOF task-force commander serving as a supporting commander to the CFACC.

CJSOTF-W comprised units from the U.S. 5th Special Forces Group and the British and Australian Special Air Service regiments. Its C-SCUD mission would become the largest coalition SOF operation in history.

To plan the mission, CJSOTF-W established a coalition working group consisting of planners from the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, or ACC; the U.S. Central Command Air Force, or CENTAF; other government agencies and coalition special-operations planners from CJSOTF-W's U.S., British and Australian contingents. [...]

The CFACC established a dedicated air wing, the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing, or AEW, which consisted of strike assets from the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve and the British Royal Air Force, to support the C-SCUD mission.

The operation became the first instance in which a SOF task force received all of its apportioned close air support, or CAS, as well as much of its support for air-interdiction, or AI, from a single, dedicated air wing.

Dedicated joint-fires support available to CJSOTF-W included CAS from the 410th AEW, AI support from both the 410th AEW and other CENTAF assets, and AC-130 gunship support from JSOAD-W. [...]

Source

Another related source:

HOW THE WEST WAS WON: THE ESSENCE OF NETWORK-CENTRIC OPERATIONS (NCO) BY MAJOR BROOK J. LEONARD, THESIS PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES FOR COMPLETION OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES AIR UNIVERSITY MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA, JUNE 2006

Please note: At least from my viewpoint, the quoted assignment of 24 A-10s is incorrect! I got confirmed info for only 18 A-10s.

Related books

Cover of "Special Operations Forces in Iraq", published as Elite 170 in November 2008 by Osprey Publishing; Author: Leigh Neville, Illustrator: Richard Hook; Paperback; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781846033575

Intelligence specialist Leigh Neville identifies, describes and illustrates the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the US and other Allied (Coalition) forces committed to war in Iraq since 2003, providing a fascinating insight into specific operations, detailing weapons, equipment and experiences in combat. With a surprising amount of recently declassified material from government departments that are yet to be published in the mass media, this is a ground-breaking analysis of the largest mobilization of Special Forces in recent history.

With extensive first-hand accounts providing an eyewitness perspective of the fighting on the ground and including information on the US Delta Force, the British SAS, Australian and Canadian special forces as well as CIA and MI6 operational units this book provides a crucial study of their skills and success in Iraq from the Battle of Debecka to storming the safe house of Uday Hussein. In a controversial war that has been plagued by high fatalities and military blunders, this book highlights the successes enjoyed by Special Forces operatives. This book serves as a companion volume to Elite 163: Special Forces Operations: Afghanistan. Extensive preview

Cover of "ALL ROADS LEAD TO BAGHDAD - Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq", by Charles H. Briscoe, et al

"All Roads Lead to Baghdad" was written in a clear and concise style, free of military jargon, by U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) historians to document the exploits and achievements of individual Army special operations soldiers and units in their traditional role of supporting the conventional force during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. It is the second in this USASOC series; the first (Weapon of Choice: ARSOF in Afghanistan) chronicled the invasion of Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001, and is also reprinted by Paladin Press under the title U.S. Army Special Operations in Afghanistan. This historic book details the planning and direction provided by Gen. Tommy Franks to U.S. Special Operations Command Central and on down the line to the two Combined Joint Special Operations Task Forces (North and West), and a Naval task force - and then, as in all campaigns, how the units and individual soldiers executed their specific missions with courage and skill. To ensure accuracy in their reporting, the authors received unparalleled access to classified documents and personal accounts from soldiers on the battlefield. ISBN: 978-1-58160-600-3; softcover; 552 pages;6" x 9"; maps, color photos, illust. Source

Note: I will order this book to get some more first-hand info about CJSOTF-West. I already buyed "U.S. Army Special Operations in Afghanistan" (also by Paladin Press) for better understanding combat of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The 410th Air Expeditionary Wing

Especially for the Scud-hunting mission and to support other special operations forces tasks in western Iraq, in Jordan, Air Combat Command (ACC) activated the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base – Azraq (also known as Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base), dubbed Azraq Air Base by the U.S. military. During their shorttime OIF deployment the 410th AEW's nonsecured public e-mail adress was …@azab.aorcentaf.af.mil (azab = Azraq Air Base, aorcentaf = Area of Responsibility, Central Command Air Forces, af = Air Force, mil = Military).

Fighting alongside their fully integrated special operations ground task forces, the 410 AEW's pilots, flying F-16C and A-10 aircraft, pursued enemy equipment, personnel, and high-value targets, including regime leadership. In total, the wing flew 9,651 fighter and attack hours in twenty-six days flying counter-tactical ballistic-missile missions and never left the special operations forces in western Iraq without air cover. Often flying in extremely hazardous conditions in and around Iraq, the wing's crews generated 2,547 sorties, providing around-the-clock, time-sensitive targeting, interdiction, OCA (offensive counterair), CAS (close air support), ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and CSAR (combat search and rescue) missions deep within enemy territory. These missions were flown from bare bases with little supporting infrastructure and necessary logistics. The wing accurately employed more than 600 precision-guided munitions and expended a total of 800,000 pounds of weapons. In addition to eliminating TBM support equipment, the wing is credited with destroying aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, surface-to-air missile systems, ammunition supply dumps, radars, and enemy troops. The wing is also credited with the destruction of two Baath Party headquarters buildings in western and central Iraq. Although the wing was engaged in more than 200 troops-in-contact scenarios, there were no fratricide events. During OIF, 410th personnel supplied thirty F-16s, four HH-60s, four HC-130s, eight RAF GR.7 Harriers, and two PR.9 Canberras with 130,000 gallons of fuel per day for twenty-three days.

The 410th Expeditionary Operations Group patch. Their motto was "Seek & Destroy". Visible in a clockwise direction are pictograms of RAF GR.7 Harrier, F-16, A-10, HC-130 and HH-60. Also pictured are the flags of United States, Australia, and United Kingdom.

During OIF's main combat phase, the 410th AEW was commanded by Col. Stanley E. "Sid" Clarke III, at that time 187th Fighter Wing commander, Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama, photographed here as Brigadier General. Now a Major General, he's a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the A-10, C-26 and the F-16, including more than 100 combat hours. (U.S. Air Force photo) Source His current official USAF online biography

Most popular USAF picture. Original photo caption: US Air Force (USAF) Air National Guard (ANG), F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft arrive at an undisclosed location in support of Exercise Rugged Arch. Camera Operator: SSGT Bennie J. Davis III, USAF (Date Shot: 15 Feb 2003) Hi-res

Note: At USAF's website this photo was first released in a "WEEK IN PHOTOS" section (Week of February 28, 2003). The original photo caption was: "OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM – F-16 Fighting Falcons from Colorado, Alabama and Illinois Air National Guard units arrive at an undisclosed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom." As I remember, sometime later the caption was modified and more related to Rugged Arch, but I have no print-out. And after searching USAF's online photo archive again in January 2006, I'm sure this pic is not more online. The Illinois ANG must be an USAF editor's error.

Most important USAF picture. Original photo caption: A US Air Force (USAF) Air National Guard (ANG), F-16C Fighting Falcon Pilot is greeted by a Crew Chief, from the Jordanian Royal Air Force and USAF 410th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) Crew Chiefs, after arriving at an undisclosed location in support of Exercise Rugged Arch. Camera operator: SSGT Bennie J. Davis III, USAF (Date Shot: 15 Feb 2003). Note: This photo was never published at USAF's public main website, and also never at DoD's public main website. The aircraft in the background is F-16C 86-0346 from the 160th Fighter Squadron. Hi-res

Both photos are still online on servers of dodmedia.osd.mil. That's the website of the Defense Visual Information Center (DVIC) at March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, California. DVIC is a division of the American Forces Information Service (AFIS), which is a field activity of the Secretary of Defense.

The 410th AEW's deployed location is up today officially still "classified" but already known both by deployed personnel (logically) as well as by well-informed non-military circles.

But if DVIC official states for public that the F-16C pilot was "greeted by a Crew Chief, from the Jordanian Royal Air Force and USAF 410th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) Crew Chiefs", then it's absolutely clear that the 410th AEW was activated somewhere in Jordan. And if USAF stated that the F-16s on the first photo were from Colorado and Alabama Air National Guard units, then it's also clear that the 120th EFS, the 160th EFS, and all of the related support personnel were deployed to a Jordanian air base. In this case, the U.S. military themselves has disclosed at least the host nation.

OIF, February 16, 2003: This wide-angle view shows only a very small part of the 410th AEW's tent city. Visible in the background is a MIM-104 Patriot Missile Battery. The building complex on the horizon at right must be the desert castle Qasr Uwaynid. (USAF photo) Hi-res

First known official 410th AEW OIF F-16C combat picture. Original photo caption: US Air Force (USAF) munitions personnel assigned to the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) at a forward deployed location work on guided munitions on the pylon of an USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Falcon has an AIM-120A Advanced Medium Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) a fixed to the wing tip. The 410th AEW prepare the aircraft for take off for sorties on A-Day, the commencement of the air war for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, at a forward location. Camera Operator: SSGT Bennie J. Davis III (Date Shot: 21 Mar 2003). Note: The aircraft is 87-0282 from the 160th FS. Hi-res

Second known official 410th AEW OIF F-16C combat picture. F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing taxi in after a long reconnaissance mission at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Cover of the book F-16 FIGHTING FALCON UNITS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, written by Steve Davies and Doug Dildy, and published 2006 by Osprey Publishing as Osprey Combat Aircraft 61.

As a freelance aviation journalist and photographer, in this book Steve Davies undisclosed some more 410th AEW info. For first time ever in a print media, he also undisclosed Azraq Air Base as deployed location (just after my posts on F-16.net).

Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base (Azraq Air Base)

Situated in the midst of the desert, the oasis town of Azraq (also known as Al Azraq) lies 45-50 miles or 103 kilometres east of Amman. Once an important meeting of trade routes, it performs a similar function today although the camels have been replaced by trucks. It forms a junction of roads heading northeast to As Safawi and further to Iraq, and southeast to Saudi Arabia. As such, the roads are dominated by large transport and diesel fumes. Azraq is divided in Azraq South and Azraq North. Azraq al-Janubi (South Azraq) stretches about 1 km south of the conjunction, while Azraq ash-Shomali (North Azraq), where the famous Qasr al-Azraq fortress (see T.E. Lawrence – Lawrence of Arabia) is located, starts about 5 km to the north. Azraq al-Janubi is basically a truckstop and it's also known as Azraq ash-Shishan after one of the springs there.

According to "Scramble", the base with their runway (Rwy 13/31) is geographically located at: Position 31° 49' 59.8N Longitude: 36° 47' 1.8E, Elev: 1706 ft.

An older satellite picture of Shahid Muafaq Al-Salti Air Base (Azraq Air Base), Jordan, located opposite west from South Azraq (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

For more 410th AEW F-16 info (including some more pictures and serial numbers of all deployed Vipers, verified by involved crew chiefs, please check my research topic Operation Iraqi Freedom (F-16 Combat History)

The 387th Air Expeditionary Group

As a large and widely independently subordinated unit, the 387th Air Expeditionary Group (387th AEG) was activated at Prince Hassan Air Base Prince Hassan Air Base (also known as H5) near As Safawi. Originally, H5 was a British designation for one of the formerly oil pump stations on an old oil pipeline across Iraq and Jordan (since years not in use, but most with at least one associated airfield). The related non-secured public e-mail adress for Prince Hassan Air Base (or H5) was …@phab.aorcentaf.af.mil.

The 387th AEG was a blend of attack and reconnaissance forces, consisting of close to 500 104th FW personnel and totaling around 1,300. The group was commanded by Col. Michael R. Boulanger, 104th FW commander. Vice commander was Lt. Col. L. Scott Rice, 104th OG commander. The deployments started in mid-January 2003 when Col. Boulanger and a group of about 30 left for the Middle East to prepare for the arrival of others. Six of the unit's A-10 left in mid-February, followed by five more. They were joined by seven A-10s from the 103rd FW. During the force build-up for OIF, elements from both squadrons teamed up to form the 131st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

The 131st FS and the 118th FS were selected in fall 2002 to be the first ever to modify A-10s for employing the Litening AT targeting pod. This advanced pod allowed the drop of 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bombs without external guidance.

Prince Hassan Air Base (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

An older satellite picture of Prince Hassan Air Base, located near As Safawi, Jordan. Full size (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

Deployed A-10s

131st FS, 104th FW (Massachusetts ANG), Barnes MAP (MA)
11 A-10s:
78-0583
78-0612 (Mission markings: 14 bombs, 7 stars)
78-0614 "Town of Russel"
78-0616 "Town of South Hadley"
78-0624
78-0626 "Town of Southwick"
78-0642 "City of Springfield" (Mission markings: 8 bombs, 8 stars)
78-0644 "City of Boston"
78-0647
78-0649 "Town of Southampton"
78-0659

118th FS, 103rd FW (Connecticut ANG), Bradley ANGB (CT)

7 A-10s:
78-0613
78-0615 ??? (according to mission markings)
78-0633
78-0707
81-0960
82-0646 ??? (according to mission markings)

Together, the deployed A-10 pilots logged 1,119 sorties and 3,821 flying hours (3,100 combat hours during 900 sorties) with no combat losses or battle damage. The missions included 35 CSAR sorties, with the rescue of an aircraft crew and numerous medical evacuations to the unit's credit.

All 18 aircraft arrived as formation over Bradley IAP on April 29, 2003. Diverting to the west of the air base, the formation split up. The 104th FW aircraft swung north, the 103rd FW aircraft went on to Hartford for a fly-by salute at the state Capitol before touching down one by one.

An older satellite picture of Prince Hassan Air Base, located near As Safawi, Jordan. Full size (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

387th AEG leadership

Retired Col. Michael R. Boulanger, photographed as Mayor of Westfield, Massachusetts About the Mayor (including his military career)

From that file:

Commander, 387th Air Expeditionary Group, Base Y (classified Middle East location) Feb 2003-Jun 2003 Commander of a combined Group (387th AEG) at an austere Middle East location shared with U.S. Army and Allied Special Operations ground and aviation units during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF – Jan-May 2003). Responsibilities included acquiring available property from the host nation and building the base operating and living area for conducting 24 hour combat operations. Responsible for: -1,200 people consisting of both active duty and reserve component personnel -18 Aircraft (A-10 Fighter Squadron) and 60 A-10 pilots, -Expeditionary Medical Squadron (EMEDS +25), -UAV (9 UE-Predator) Squadron, -Maintenance and Support Squadrons, -Air Traffic Control Flight, -Combat Communications Squadron, -Special Tactics Squadron, OSI, TALCE, -Expeditionary Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility (E-MASF) and -Two Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT). Planned and conducted joint combat operations in close coordination with co-located Army Ranger and Allied Special Operations forces. In addition to 78 Predator combat missions, the 387th AEG successfully flew 892 A-10 combat missions (3,147 hours, 98.7% sortie effectiveness, 99.8% mission capable rate) in support of the counter ballistic missile threat mission and close air support, including 35 combat search and rescue sorties with two confirmed saves with no combat damage or losses. Maintained a close cooperative working relationship with host nation military commander(s) and American Embassy representatives. Closely coordinated all U.S. Contractor (Kellogg, Brown & Root) activities and developed host nation base support agreements. Developed bare-base security and Ability to Survive and Operate (ATSO) procedures, conducted frequent exercises to ensure base attack/survival procedures were effective and understood by every member

Vice Commander, 410th Air Expeditionary Wing, Base X (classified Middle East location) Jan 2003 Vice-Commander of a combined Wing at an austere Middle East location shared with U.S. Air Force and British Air Forces aviation units during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Responsible for acquiring available property from host nation and building the base operating and living area for conducting 24 hour combat operations. Assisted in directing over 2,500 people consisting of both active duty and reserve component personnel comprising an three F-16 Fighter Squadrons, an A-10 Fighter Squadron, a Rescue Squadron (EC-130 & HH-60), a Canberra Squadron and a Harrier Squadron, associated Maintenance and Support Groups, an Expeditionary Medical Squadron (EMEDS +25), Air Traffic Control Flight, Combat Communications Squadron, and TALCE. Maintained close, cooperative working relationship with host nation military commanders, coordinating activities and support agreements as well base security and ATSO procedures.

Note: An official military biography of retired Col. Michael R. Boulanger is not more online today.

L. Scott Rice, photographed as Brigadier General and the Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Massachusetts National Guard, Milford, Massachusetts Official biography (As of current)

Colonel Frederick R. Miclon Jr., photographed as vice commander of the 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard. From May 2000 to August 2004, he commanded the 103rd Maintenance Group of the 103rd Fighter Wing. In February 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Miclon, along with 300 members of the 103rd Fighter Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard, was mobilized by presidential order for deployment to Southwest Asia for what became Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement as commander of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group Maintenance Squadron during his three-month deployment, marking the start of the on-going war in Iraq. Official biography (As of current)

First-hand combat reports, including A-10 pilot's views

Shortly after OIF's main combat phase, aviation author John "Spoons" Sponauer from United States did a great job to collect very first-hand info of related A-10 involvements.

He had a chance to talk to one of the 103rd Fighter Wing pilots who deployed for OIF to ask his opinions about the LITENING targeting pod, how A-10s were used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and his experiences in combat over the western desert. His interview DESERT LITENING - THE 103rd FW IN IRAQI FREEDOM was originally published May 10, 2004, on SimHQ.com. It's the only related A-10 pilot interview known to me. Just an excerpt:

The majority of what the public knows about the war in Iraq comes from the eastern part of the country….the drive up through the river valleys into Baghdad. Much of what happened in the western desert seems more 'black.' Even the location of your forward base seems to be classified to this day. Please tell us a little about the type of missions you typically flew out in the Wild West.

I'm not sure the location of our base will ever be declassified.

We initially planned for TST (time sensitive targeting) missions. Using JSTARS and other aircraft for targeting, our primary responsibility was the identified 'SCUD zones' that Hussein had used during the first Gulf War to launch SCUD missiles at Israel. Our basic mission was to prevent launches from those zones this time around. In this war, however, all of the ballistic missiles went south instead. So that's the mission we stepped out the door with. As the war progressed, our mission rolled into traditional A-10 missions like CAS (close air support) and CSAR (combat search and rescue) more often. The other type of mission was on-call attack, road reconnaissance, and that type of sortie, especially along the Syrian border helping to prevent Iraqi leadership from leaving the country. We were involved in operations that helped catch at least one of the 'deck of cards,' for instance. The western war was unique. It was more focused on special operations, including working with foreign special operations.

Describe a typical mission for us. Duration? Size of packages? Loadout? Other aircraft?

We broke our squadron down into 'day guys' and 'night guys.' You didn't want to move people around between the two because it would play havoc with sleep cycles. A typical night mission would start at around 3 to 6 PM in the afternoon, when the crew would go into the briefing and check the weather, which was often bad. Crews would learn the target set for the mission, but mostly it was based around 30-40 points in the region that we knew were sources of past activity. We'd take off, hit the tanker, and begin our TST tasking. We often found and killed stuff at those points, mostly related support equipment. So that's at least how it started in the beginning of the war. As the war went on, during some battles like Hadithah Dam, for instance, we saw more CAS tasking. In that case, ground forces were preventing the dam from being blown up by the Iraqis, and our missions in support of that operation were more traditional close air support.

Flights were almost always a two-ship; occasionally four-ships. We didn't have much SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses) support out in the west. As for other aircraft in the area, there was everything…..B-52s, F-16s, F-14s, and F-15Es…you name it. [...]

In the November 2004 issue of Atlantic Flyer John Sponauer published his interesting article: East Coast "Hog Drivers" Are Here For The Long Haul, again with details about the 387th AEG.

Only an excerpt:

The latest chapter in the A-10's history was Operation Iraqi Freedom. East coast "Hog drivers" provided close air support (CAS) for the march to Baghdad and participated in secret operations over western Iraq. The success of the former reinforced it as the world's premier CAS aircraft; the latter served as testament to its flexibility.

In early 2002, rumors circulated among A-10 units that they were destined for Afghanistan; three prepared for deployment. In July, however, members of the 103rd and 104th FW were summoned to Langley AFB for a surprise; they were not going to Afghanistan after all, but instead preparing for a special mission in the looming Iraq conflict. Using a targeting pod called LITENING II, they were to hunt ballistic missile launchers in western Iraq and support special operations there. For an aircraft designed so austerely that it didn't originally have an autopilot or internal navigation system, LITENING was a huge leap forward. It allows pilots to designate targets for laser-guided bombs (LGB), view targets up to 30 miles away through infrared and camera optics, and accurately determine target range and location. The only prior targeting system in the A-10 was the eyeball; its primary weapons, the 30mm. GAU-8 cannon, unguided bombs, rockets, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles.

By fall, two aircraft and key personnel were in Nellis AFB, Nevada. Under cover of night, jets were modified to accept LITENING. There was no manual for doing so, but after a day of running wires and integrating the pod, they were ready to try the new "eyes."

Following successful dry runs at Nellis with special operations, a combined unit of 18 aircraft from Connecticut and Massachusetts deployed in February to a still-undisclosed Middle Eastern base. Col. Fred Miclon, then 103rd Maintenance Group commander and with more than 20 years of experience with A-10's, was one of about 35 advance personnel.

"This was a bare bones, austere location," he said. "Fortunately, the aircraft is pretty rugged, and we worked hard to set everything up. Within about 10 days, we had 800 people supporting us."

When war came, the Hog drivers in the west dropped laser-guided bombs, assisted special operations, and as the situation developed, provided close air support near the dam at Hadithah, Iraq. They flew 3,100 combat hours during 900 sorties, without damage from enemy fire, and became the first A-10 pilots to drop laser-guided bombs in combat.

Lt. Col. John "Guinness" Stout of the 103rd was among them. On the war's first day, he and his wingman, from the 104th, were on a daytime mission to find a threat target when they encountered another.

"I was using my pod to locate our target when [my wingman] looked up and noticed basketball-sized clouds all around. He saw glints on the ground, and quickly realized that he was under fire, probably by 57mm AAA. After offsetting ourselves from the threats, he talked my eyes onto the guns. We used the pod to determine coordinates, received permission to engage, and lased the target."

"I made a pass and 3-4 miles away, pickled an LGB. I immediately did a gut check - 'had I done everything right?' As I rolled away, I could see the bomb in flight, and thought 'Awesome, but there's no way that's going to reach.' But it was a 'shack;' direct hit. Although we had practiced it many times, this was the first actual delivery made by our 'laser/bomber' team."

Other public info archived by me:

104th Fighter Wing recognized with Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (published by "abc40" on March 17, 2004):

(Westfield-) -- The 104th Fighter Wing (FW), Massachusetts Air National Guard, Barnes Air National Guard Base has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor by the U.S. Air Force for its role in Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 1, 2003 to May 21, 2003.

During that period, the 104th FW deployed about half its personnel, some 500, and 11 of its 17 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to a classified location in Southwest Asia. There, under the overall command of the 410th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Central Command Air Forces, the 104th FW was the lead unit of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group, a combined unit consisting of 1300 personnel housed at an austere location near the Iraqi border. The 387th AEG was further comprised of an A-10 squadron, a Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, an Emergency Field Medical Squadron and Hospital and other Special Operations personnel. The commander of the 387th AEG was Col. Michael R. Boulanger, 104th FW Commander. The Outstanding Unit Award was awarded to all of the ten units that comprised the 410th AEW.

The mission of the 104th FW/387th AEG/410th AEW was to accomplish the President of the United States' goal of preventing the entry of neighboring countries into the conflict by denying battle space necessary to launch Theatre Ballistic Missiles from western Iraq, essentially, an "anti-Scud" effort. Other mission parameters were to operate as the primary Combat Search and Rescue airborne platform for the entire theater and to provide Close Air Support and Air Interdiction in support of ground troops.

Backed by hundreds of support and maintenance personnel, the 104th FW's A-10s and their pilots flew every day of the war, amassing 1119 sorties, 892 during the war, for a total of 3821 hours with no combat losses, battle damage or significant personal injury, compiling a 99 percent Mission Effectiveness Rate. They also flew 35 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions in support of ground personnel. These flying totals represent the equivalent of 75 percent of the flying done in a "normal" year done in a few weeks.

As part of the war preparations, the 104th FW was selected to be the first A-10 unit to implement the Litening II Targeting Pod Program. The Litening II Pod is a precision targeting pod system that significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the aircraft. The addition of this pod to an A-10 by the 104th was a pioneering effort - no pods had existed on any A-10s, in the Air Force up to this point. In a very short timeframe, beginning in fall of '02, wing personnel installed, trained maintainers and pilots and made adjustments, resulting in 34 modified aircraft, 18 modified pods and 54 qualified pilots in less than three months.

Note: As an exception that's the full article, probably widely based on the award citation. Anyone from involved personnel who can and will me provide a copy of the original citation? I would be very grateful.

General Tommy Franks discusses conductiong the war in Iraq (Edited transcript of an interview by "Knight Ridder Newspapers", published on June 19, 2003):

"The second front: We knew that one of the strategic dislocators, as it had been in 1991, would be an attack on either Jordan or Israel, or perhaps both. So we knew we needed to gain control of the western desert, 25 percent of Iraq, as quickly as possible, and we decided that the best way to do that was with Special Operations forces. We decided that the number of SF operators would need to be rather large, 25 to 50 A Teams, and others from three other nations. So control of western desert was a second front, and we knew we needed to do that very, very early."

"We said one of the first things we better do is get the Special Operators out and in control of the western 25 percent of Iraq, so we better introduce them first. A little known fact is that the introduction of those forces in the west was ahead of the operations that were much reported, air and ground operations, from the south. By the time operations started in the south, we already had between 25 and 40 SF teams operating in the west."

"They were able to do this without being compromised, except that the regime knew they were there. They knew they were there and they didn´t know why. On of the ingredients of that was the taking out of 100 visual observation posts between the border with Jordan and Iraq, and between the border with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. So we took out half of those one night, introduced SF operators, and took out the other half the next night."

"You may recall the embedding of reporters. Well, we did not embed reporters with special operations forces at this point because we did not want to take any chance of this leaking into the press about operations in the west until we had denied the regime the opportunity to use the SCUD missiles. So SF was first."

Note: At this time General Tommy Franks was the U.S. Central Command commander.

The exactly location of the 387th AEG was mainly disclosed by U.S. news media reports about Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, Florida National Guard:

"USA Today" (July 16, 2003)

After several weeks of training, his company arrived at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan on Feb. 16. Their mission was to provide security and search-and-rescue support to the special operations forces.

Because of diplomatic sensitivities in Jordan, coalition operations launched from there before and during the war were cloaked in secrecy. Much of what went on has still not been fully disclosed. But Wershow´s [Army Spc. Jeffrey Wershow] unit became one of the first to enter Iraq as the war began. Under cover of darkness and using night-vision googles to see, they breached dirt berms on Iraq´s borders with Jordan and Saudi Arabia to allow special operations forces to drive through

"Military Times" (via "Air Force Times", September 10, 2003)

From day one it was intense. The "secret" commando base was set up at a Jordanian airfield, dubbed "H-5", in the rocky eastern desert along the Iraq border. […] At the time, Jordanian officials strenuously denied that any coalition forces based in the country would be used for an assault against Iraq. But tell that to an Orlando guardsman who was inside the mission buildup, and you will get an eye-rolling chuckle in response. […] As the prewar preparations increased, the number of troops at H-5 swelled to nearly 6,000. The base eventually played host to the "Nightstalkers" of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, operatives from the British and Australian Special Air service, officers from "other government agencies" – the term often used to describe the Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency – and even a detachment of Air Force A-10 "Warthog" attack jets.

For more 410h AEW info please check my topic Operation Iraqi Freedom (F-16 Combat History) on F-16.net.

The only known official USAF photos:

A-10s 78-0644 (foreground) and 78-0614 from the 131st Fighter Squadron fly over the Mediterranean Sea enroute to a forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher) Mid-res

A-10s 78-0614 (left) and 78-0644 from the 131st Fighter Squadron fly over the Mediterranean Sea enroute to a forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher) Hi-res

A-10 78-0626 from the 131st Fighter Squadron banks while flying accross the Mediterranean Sea enroute to a forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher) Hi-res

An A-10 from the 118th Fighter Squadron over western Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. LITENING II targeting pod on station 9. (Photo by 103rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Source

Unfortunately, neither USAF nor DoD released any related OIF A-10 photos taken at Prince Hassan Air Base, and also there were no embedded U.S. news media people in contrast to the 332nd AEW at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. I only remember a DoD photo of a Predator UAV together with a Jordan F-104 Starfighter (lost by harddrive crash). I would be very grateful for any private shot taken by people of the Warthog community!

Some private shots, taken during this deployment, were published online:

A-10 78-0642 from the 131st Fighter Squadron. Visible loadout: Dual Rail Adapter (DRA) with two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles on station 11, AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 9, external fuel tank on centerline station 6. (Photographer unknown)

OIF mission markings (28 bombs, seven stars). (Photographer unknown)

Close-up of the same mission markings. (Photographer unknown)

387th AEG A-10 OIF mission markings

The following pictures were taken by Warthog News contributors Ken Middleton and Dave O'Brian from United States during base visits sometime after the jets returned home:

A-10 78-0612 from the 131st Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings: 14 bombs, 7 stars. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 78-0642 from the 131st Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings: 8 bombs, 8 stars. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 78-0626 from the 131st Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings: 21 bombs, 14 stars, and six missiles with the inscription "VI". (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 81-0960 from the 118th Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 82-0646 from the 118th Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 78-0615 from the 118th Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

A-10 78-0647 from the 131st Fighter Squadron still with OIF mission markings - a lot of bombs, and seven stars. (Photo by Dave O'Brian)

387th AEG A-10 OIF artwork

Clear OIF ladder door art on A-10 82-0646 from the 118th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ken Middleton)

Deployed with the 387th AEG was artist Roy Walton. Let me post some quotes from a news article published in 2003 by "The Farmington Valley Post":

- Avon resident Roy Walton, 39, is a member of the 103rd unit - the Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard unit in peacetime that became an Air Force unit when it was called to active duty in January - that left Connecticut for a base in southwest Asia March 10.

- As a logistics squadron commander, Walton was in charge of getting the 18 jets, about 700 people and over a million tons of cargo shipped to the base in just a month and a halfe.

(I archived some more related info)

On his website, Roy published the following two very interesting pictures:

Roy's caption: A painting done as a moral booster for the flightline of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group. The best A-10 Wing in the Iraqi conflict operating out of a classified location. Done with acrylic paints on plywood, measures about 4 x 4 feet. Source

Roy's caption: A painting of the Dark Horseman modified to represent the 387th Air Expeditionary Group. The best A-10 Wing in the Iraqi conflict operating out of a classified location. The shield represents the sword of St Michael which the unit used on it's patch. Done with a variety of paints on plywood measuring about 3x4 feet. Source

The following picture is published on Philippe Colin's website:

Original caption: During the 2003's Airshow and Open House, Camp "Kick Ass" was recreated with many items brought back from the Gulf and many displays intended to show the public what the 104th had done during Operation Iraqi Freedom. From February 4 until May 1, 2003 the unit had flown 882 combat sorties and a total of 3146.7 flying hours.

Source

Related patches

Could be the regular 131st EFS patch of this 387th AEG deployment. Source

Another patch with the inscription "118 EFS LITENING AT NOCTURNAL SCUD HUNTERS" Source

Another patch with the inscription "FYATCYRIO - THUNDER AND LITENING" Source

BTW: I would be very grateful for any additional first-hand info from U.S. service members who were deployed with the 387th AEG.

A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part III

2008-10-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Deployments for OIF "late" to Al Asad Airfield, Iraq

by Joachim Jacob (all author rights reserved)

In late 2006, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) again asked for A-10s to support ongoing combat operations in Iraq. To beddown and maintaining the A-10s, Air Combat Command (ACC) activated the 438th Air Expeditionary Group (438th AEG) at Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, mainly operated by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and their deployed fixed-wing combat aircraft (F/A-18 Hornets/Super Hornets, AV-8B Harriers and EA-6B Prowlers). This marked the first time an A-10 unit deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since OIF's main combat phase ended in 2003.

Al Asad Airfield (Qadisiyah Airbase) (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

The 438th Air Expeditionary Group

The 438th AEG was activated for first time ever in late 2001 at Jacobabad Air Base, Pakistan, for Operation Enduring Freedom. Jacobabad AB or Shahbaz Airbase (IATA: JAG, ICAO: OPJA) is located at Jacobabad, in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is a military base as well as civilian airport.

The 438th AEG was activated again at Al Asad Airfield on January 15, 2007, under the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq, to provide close-air support to coalition forces in the region. Within hours of standing up as a fully operational A-10 unit, it was sending its aircraft into battle.

The group consisted of an A-10 fighter squadron, an A-10 aircraft maintenance squadron, a support squadron and an expeditionary group support staff. During each Air Expeditionary Force rotation, approximately 360 active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel were assigned to the group.

The group's Airmen provided close air support, offensive firepower, overwatch, escort, aerial port ops and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of OIF. The 438th AEG was deactivated in December 2007.

Sources:
A-10s set to soar in Al Anbar province
Remaining rudiments of the former 438th AEG website

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 6) rotation (January – April 2007)

74th FS, 23rd FG (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

(Aircraft verification is still underway by both official and private sources.)

Deployed as 74th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Russ "Oscar" Myers. Arrived on January 17.

Airmen from the 438th AEG retrieve one of the newly assigned A-10s on January 17, 2007, at Al Asad Airfield, Iraq. The unit's mission is to provide CAS for coalition forces in the Al-Anbar province. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chief Master Sgt. Bryce Maxson) Hi-res

A-10s 79-0213 from the 74th FS (foreground) and 79-0139 from the 75th FS taxi out at Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to provide CAS for coalition forces in the region. Each of both aircraft carries four GBU-12s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Ken Hall) Hi-res

A-10 79-0213 from the 74th FS takes off from Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to provide CAS to ground troops on April 25, 2007. The loadout includes four GBU-12s and one Maverick. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

A-10 80-0180 from the 74th FS prepares to take off from Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to provide CAS to ground troops on April 25, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

A-10 80-0180 from the 74th FS prepares to take off from Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to provide close-air support to ground troops in Iraq on April 25, 2007. Loadout includes four GBU-12s and one Maverick. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

A-10 crew chief Staff Sgt. Steve Young helps A-10 pilot 1st Lt. Chris "Harpoon" Laird prepare for a combat mission over Al Anbar Province in western Iraq. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Ken Hall) Hi-res

Senior Airman Kevin Crawford performs an intake and exhaust inspection on an A-10 at Al Asad airfield on April 25, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

Senior Airman Joseph Cordero, Staff Sgt. Andrew House and Staff Sgt. Barrett Read trouble shoot an electronic error on an A-10 at the flightline of Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, on April 25, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

Maintenance crews on an A-10 end their 12-hour duty day April 25 at Al Asad Airfield, Iraq. In the background at right, an USMC EA-6B Prowler takes off. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.) Hi-res

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 6) rotation (May – August 2007)

ANG "Rainbow Team"

103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)

6 A-10s
78-0641, 80-0152, 80-0230, 81-0949, 81-0955, 82-0659

190th FS, 124th Wg (Idaho ANG), Boise, Idaho (ID)

6 A-10s
78-0611, 78-0618, 78-0624, 78-0629, 80-0218, 81-0955

AEF 9/10 (Cycle 6) rotation (September – December 2007)

104th FS, 175th Wg (Maryland ANG), Martin State AP Air Guard Station, Baltimore, Maryland (MD)

78-0637, 78-0683, 78-0705, 78-0717, 79-0087

172nd FS, 110th FW (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek, Michigan (BC)

80-0255, 80-0257, 81-0975, 81-0994

Deployed as 104th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, 104th FS commander. First operational use of newly upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt IIs in combat. First combat drop of a GBU-38 JDAM by an A-10 on September 19, 2008, by Capt. Brian "Snap" Curland.

On November 3, 2007, USAF grounded all of its F-15s in response to the crash of a Missouri ANG F-15C in Boss, Missouri. USAF restricted flights of F-15Es and F-15 Eagles to "mission-critical" sorties only. Training, test and most combat missions were grounded. At Bagram AB the Strike Eagles sat on combat alert status but were not assigned to pre-planned or on-call missions.

The grounding forced CENTCOM to use other Air Force, Navy and French fighters to fill the gaps, though Strike Eagles did fly to support troops in battle in Afghanistan as an emergency measure while they were still under grounding orders

Aditionally, CENTCOM decided to relocate A-10s from Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to Bagram AB. Originally, the A-10s were deployed for OIF to the 438th AEG, a subordinated unit of the 332nd AEW at Balad AB, Iraq. According to 332nd AEW Public Affairs, the 438th AEG relocated 80% of their 360 Airmen and all A-10s to Bagram AB "in <52 hrs of Warning Order" following worldwide grounding of the F-15 fleet.

The unit returned home to CONUS in mid-January 2008.

A 438th Air Expeditionary Group weapons loading team prepares to mount a Joint Direct Attack Munition to an A-10C Thunderbolt II using an MJ-1 “jammer” vehicle here. The Airmen made history in Iraq when their upgraded A-10s successfully employed JDAMs in combat. Because the weapon is guided to targets by pinpoint GPS coordinates, experts here say it is 100 percent more accurate than munitions previously employed on the A-10C Thunderbolt II, dramatically improving precision and reducing fratricide. The Airmen are deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, located in Baltimore, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare) Hi-res

Senior Airman Daniel Young marshals in an A-10 Thunderbolt II for munitions disarming after an Oct. 28 mission at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The A-10C's are assigned to the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is made up primarily of members from the 175th Maryland Air National Guard. Airman Young is a Maryland Air National Guard crew chief. The 104th EFS is the first unit to use the C-model A-10 in a combat zone. Its upgrades have made air power more efficient and have streamlined the close-air-support mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Angelique Perez) Hi-res

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Michael Knecht, 438th Air Expeditionary Group weapons loader, helps load 30 mm rounds for an A-10C Thunderbolt II’s Gatling gun before a night-combat operation here. Airman Knecht is deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare) Hi-res

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Anthony Murray, 438th Expeditionary Group crewchief, reviews aircraft records for an A-10C Thunderbolt II here. The unit’s newly upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt IIs are the first to fly in combat. Airman Murray is deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare) Hi-res

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- First Lt. Nick Barone, 438th Air Expeditionary Group pilot, secures his helmet before taking off on a combat mission in the new A-10C Thunderbolt II here. Lieutenant Barone is deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare) Hi-res

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Frank Williams, 438th Air Expeditionary Group weapons loader, checks munitions on an A-10C Thunderbolt II here, pulling arming pins so pilots can employ weapons. The 438th AEG is the first unit to fly newly upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt IIs in combat. The improved aircraft’s precision engagement abilities allow it to more accurately strike enemy targets, reducing dangers to coalition forces and non-combatants. Sergeant Williams is deployed from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, Baltimore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare) Hi-res

Senior Airman Larry Lewis (left) and Tech. Sgt. David Rey remove a bomb from an A-10 Thunderbolt II. The weapons loaders are deployed to Southwest Asia from the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing. The A-10, with excellent maneuverability and accurate weapons delivery, provide vital close-air support to coalition troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force official photo by Staff Sgt Angelique Perez) Hi-res

Related USAF news article:

Air Guard pilots, maintainers make history in Iraq

By Tech. Sgt. D. Clare
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (11/07/2007) - Capt. Brian "Snap" Curland, a deployed member of the 175th Fighter Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, made history here when he dropped the first Joint Direct Attack Munition from the newly upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt II in combat Sept. 19.

The captain's strike, and the Air Guard's participation and support of precision engagement for the A-10, mark a historic new range of capabilities and accuracy the aircraft is bringing to the battlefield.

Curland was on his second sortie here when he came upon a former safe house that insurgents had established as a house-borne improvised explosive device. The building had been rigged to detonate when Soldiers swept through the town.

"When I put that out and dropped it, it was basically two buildings away from a mosque. And we obviously don't want to be doing any damage to significant religious centers and people who aren't in the conflict at all," Curland said.

Despite the proximity of residential buildings and the mosque, structures immediately adjacent to the target suffered little more than a dusting from the attack. No coalition forces or noncombatants were harmed.

"With this munition, we're able to pinpoint a building," said Curland with the 438th Air Expeditionary Group. "Collateral damage is about zero. When the bomb impacts, it buries itself into the building and then detonates so you're looking at basically just taking the building out from the inside out instead of the outside in like before."

Thanks to the A-comprehensive digital upgrade completed by the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Air Force, newly modified A-10C's are bringing a new level of accuracy and versatility to close air support in Iraq.

This evolution to precision engagement allows A-10 pilots to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating the threat to American forces and non-combatants on the ground.

A new 'SADL'
The upgrades to the aircraft have taken an analog system and brought it into a digital era, said Lt. Col. Eric Mann, 438th AEG pilot, and Operational Requirements division chief for the National Guard Bureau.

A new hands-on throttle and stick system improves the pilot's situational awareness, allowing the flyer to keep his or her "head on a swivel." The aircraft has fully integrated electronics and new avionics systems.

Through the Situational Awareness Data Link, or SADL, pilots are able to literally show their fellow pilots and ground forces what they see from their cockpit in real time.

"Essentially, it shortens the kill chain," said Mann, who is also a member of the Maryland ANG. By instantly sharing data and camera feeds, a process that took up to 30 minutes over the radio before now happens in seconds.

"I can transmit my image from the advanced targeting pod to the ground forces who can confirm it," he said. "I can transmit what I'm looking at to my wingman digitally without having to ‘talk his eyes’ onto the 'red roof building' when there's hundreds down there. He can actually see it the same time I am."

At the center of the A-10C's close air support mission is the elimination of improvised explosive devices. In some cases, they escort troops or convoys on missions and foot patrols, said Capt. Richard Hunt, a weapons and tactics officer deployed from the Maryland ANG.

The new capabilities of the aircraft reflect the complex nature of that mission. The A-10C has 11 weapons stations from wingtip to wingtip, in addition to its famous primary weapon, the seven-barrel, 30 mm Gatling gun.

"I have no idea what situation I'll find myself in when I arrive in a target area," said Hunt. "It's constantly changing on the ground, and the insurgency and the enemy is constantly changing. I need to have a huge variety of different weapons on the airplane so I can deal with a specific situation."

New life
More than a decade ago, the Air Force began discussions on upgrading the A-10. With so many critical projects for the Department of Defense to address, it seemed the "legacy" aircraft's upgrades would stall. Before October 2006, it appeared that only a portion of the Air Force's inventory would be upgraded.

The Air National Guard, and its six A-10 fighter wings stepped up to aid the developmental program. They worked closely with the Air Combat Command and the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

In addition to funding from the National Guard, the Air Reserve Component brought the resources and experience the community needed to make the upgrade a reality. Its current incarnation is expected to be viable through 2028.

A Total Force reality
"We went out to Nellis and lived the Total Force dream," said Chief Master Sgt. Terry Allen, 438th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent and member of the Maryland ANG. The chief served as the enlisted leader for developmental testing.

"We interacted with the active duty, the Air Force Reserve and Guard personnel. We brought some experience to the table. We had a good handle on the legacy system on the aircraft and expanded on those in terms of integration and engagement."

As new modifications were implemented, maintainers worked directly with contractors to develop technical orders, data and drawings. As they went, they wrote the training programs associated with the changes. Aircrews and maintainers were integrated and brought up to speed simultaneously.

The upgrades started in earnest in November 2005. Air Guard specialists from six different states rotated in and out of Nevada to facilitate the process. The team finished in June 2007, and just weeks later, members from every component of the upgrade team found themselves in Iraq in combat in the new A-10Cs.

Weeks after that, the first JDAM launched from an A-10C struck its target dead center.

To date, the new system has performed in a "close to flawless" manner, according to Allen. The squadron has not dropped a single Central Command Air Forces tasking - a feat he credits to the successful implementation of upgrades and the hard work of maintainers before and throughout the deployment.

"We feel very, very proud," said Staff Sgt. Nick Draxler, 438th Air Expeditionary Group weapons loader deployed from the Maryland ANG. "It took thousands of man hours and lots of work to bring this aircraft to battle in a fully functional way. Now these aircraft performed as well as we have to get them here."

Source

A-10 Units of Operation Enduring Freedom

2008-10-10T04:16:00.000-07:00

By Joachim Jacob

Updated January 5, 2010

A-10s and other aircraft are lined up at Bagram AB, Afghanistan (Satellite photo via Google Earth)

In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush initiated Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad.

As the force build-up for OEF began, an A-10 ANG "Rainbow Team" was already deployed for Operation Southern Watch (OSW) to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group (332nd AEG) at Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait, as part of a regularly scheduled 90-day Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotation, in this case for the AEF 7/8 (Cycle 2) rotation (September – November 2001). During AEF Cycle 2, AEFs with even numbers were assigned to OSW, AEFs with odd numbers were assigned to Operation Northern Watch (ONW) and some other tasks.

The 332nd AEG was activated by Air Combat Command (ACC) in November 1998 to replace the 4406th Operations Group (Provisional) at this air base, often shortened as Al Jaber AB and also dubbed as "The Jab" by deployed U.S. airmen. The heritage of the 332nd AEG reached back to the famous 332nd Fighter Group led by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. The 332nd AEG played a key role during OSW, and later also during OEF´s main combat phase (October 2001 – April 2002).

Surprisingly, both A/OA-10A contingents which were regularly deployed to the 322nd AEG as parts of the AEF 7/8 and AEF 9/10 rotations were never tasked with OEF missions. The first involved A/OA-10A contingent was the 74th EFS which consisted of elements from the 74th FS, 23rd FG "Flying Tigers" (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina. This EFS regularly deployed for the AEF 1/2 (Cycle 3) rotation. 23rd FG personnel operated simultaneously in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch for nearly seven months.

Lt. Col. Matthew D. Neuenswander, an A-10 pilot (El Cid), was the Deputy Commander of the 332nd AEG from July 2001 to July 2002. In March 2002, he led an A-10 detachment that deployed forward into Afghanistan in support of Operation Anaconda and then re-deployed that unit to Bagram Air Base where he became the first AEG Commander in Afghanistan. Colonel Neuenswander flew A-1O sorties as a Forward Air Control (Airborne) (FAC(A)) in support of Operation Anaconda.

In an article, Col. Neuenswander wrote:

[...] When senior air commanders in theater were called upon to provide high-intensity and high-volume CAS and TST to assist in Operation Anaconda, they "pulled out the stops." On the night of 3 March, the CFACC directed the A-10 unit stationed at Al Jaber to move five jets to a classified forward location.
This unit launched the first A-10s 12 hours after notification, and the unit was in place from more than 1,400 miles away with its first operational capability 27 hours after notification.
The A-10s conducted CAS and FAC(A) missions and at times performed the ABCCC and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) missions. These aircraft provided a large
portion of the TACS/AAGS architecture and significantly aided in target area deconfliction, target acquisition, command and control, and terminal control of CAS platforms.
In their role as CAS fighters, these A-10s were responsible for the destruction of a significant number of enemy targets. This included the total destruction of a large enemy counterattack on 5 March. At one point during Anaconda, the pilots and maintainers of the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) provided 21 continuous hours of FAC(A)/CAS coverage over the target area with only four aircraft.
As soon as the runway at Bagram Air Base was repaired and allowed full-length operations, this A-10 unit moved to Bagram to support CJTF-Mountain and served as the backbone for a new AEG. This group, and later wing, was initially manned and supported by the 332d AEG out of Kuwait. The CFACC took a number of key personnel already in theater "out of hide" to build this unit until these positions could be backfilled from the states.
The feat of moving an A-10 unit 1,400 miles in one ATO day is a testimony to the US Air Force’s combat logisticians, Director of Mobility Forces and 332d AEG. Hundreds of professionals in the Mobility Forces truly made this operation possible. [...]

Source: "JCAS in Operation Anaconda - It’s Not All Bad News" (Field Artillery May-June 2003)

In an 43rd AW PA news article "DOD-level winning squadron compete for Phoenix Award", released in September 2003, 23rd FG commander Col. Vincent DiFronzo was quoted:

"It was the first time they decided to put A-10s into Afghanistan after the first night of Anaconda," DiFronzo said. "We called, and the aircraft were airborne within 14 hours and into the fight. That was unprecedented.
"The maintenance piece was so impressive because they jumped right into recovering the aircraft," the colonel said. "It was a four-hour trip in an A-10 to get into the battle area, and then they had to recover into a classified area with no notice. They were there for a week, went back to (their original Southwest Asia location) and deployed to Bagram a few days later, and the whole time they met every A-10 tasking."

According to this article, at Bagram 74th FS members worked to clear unexploded ordnance, set up a tent city and got maintenance and flying operations working to support 300 Air Force personnel and six aircraft.

For Operation Anaconda check:

- "Operation Anaconda - An Air Power Perspective", Headquarters United States Air Force AF/XOL, 7 February 2005
- "The Airpower of Anaconda" by Rebecca Grant (Air Force Magazine, September 2002, Vol. 85, No. 9)
- Other Sources

I also read the following very interesting books:
- "U.S. ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN" by Charles H. Briscoe, Richard L. Kiper, James A. Schroder, and Kalev I. Sepp, Paladin Press, Boulder, Colorado, 2006;
- "TASK FORCE DAGGER - The Hunt for Bin Laden" by Robin Moore, Pan Books, London, 2004;
- "Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda - Chaos and Courage in the Mountains of Afghanistan" by Sean Naylor, Berkley Books, New York, 2005;

According to my own research work, the "classified forward location", mentioned by Lt. Col. Neuenswander, was Shahbaz Air Base, Jacobabad, Pakistan, 28°16'37.32"N 68°27'05.04"E, called Jacobabad AB by the U.S. Military.

On April 26, 2002, Air Combat Command headquarters activated the 455th Air Expeditionary Group at Bagram Airfield, then designated is as the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing three months later as the Air Force presence and mission to free Afghanistan from the Taliban grew.

Source

An aerial view of empty Bagram Airfield, taken on February 27, 2002. (U.S. Navy photo by PH1 Ted Banks)

AEF 1/2 (Cycle 3) rotation (March - May 2002)

74th FS, 23rd Wg (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

Deployed as 74th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Arden Dahl.

Four A-10s from the 74th EFS sit on the flightline at Bagram Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo)

An A-10 from the 74th EFS. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A-10 79-0223 from the 75th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo)

It says all ... (Archived photo)

Replaced by:

AFRC "Rainbow Team"
303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (KC)
706th FS, 926th FW (AFRC), NAS JRB New Orleans, Louisiana (NO)

Both units teamed up to form the 706th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Neil McAskill.
This "Rainbow Team" flew for some weeks together with the 74th EFS before it took all A-10 operations at Bagram. Later it flew together with the 75th EFS before returning to CONUS. During the deployment, which ran from April 4 through July 20, the unit launched more than 500 sorties and flew more than 1,200 hours.

A-10 79-0092 from the 303rd FS takes off on May 20, 2002. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A-10 79-0111 from the 706th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo)

One of the AFRES A-10s with 'Let´s Roll' logo. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Replaced by:

75th FS, 23rd Wg (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

Deployed as 75th EFS, took over the aircraft from the 74th EFS.

A-10 80-0252 from the 75th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo)

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 3) rotation (September - November 2002)

354th FS, 355th FW (ACC), Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona (DM)

Deployed as 354th EFS. Unit returned home in December 2002.

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 3) rotation (December 2002 - February 2003)

ANG "Rainbow Team"
103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Growe ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)
104th FS, 175th Wg (Maryland ANG), Martin State AP, Maryland (MD)
190th FS, 124th Wg (Idaho ANG), Boise, Idaho (ID)

Deployed as 104th EFS.

An A-10 assigned to the 104th EFS takes off on March 20, 2003. Coalition forces in Afghanistan launched another offensive, dubbed Operation Valiant Strike, on March 20 aimed at villages and cave complexes east of Kandahar in the Sami Ghar mountains, defense officials said. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnston) Hi-res

An A-10 assigned to the 104th EFS banks to the right after take off on March 20, 2003. On that day, Coalition forces in Afghanistan launched another offensive, dubbed Operation Valiant Strike, aimed at villages and cave complexes east of Kandahar in the Sami Ghar mountains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnston) Hi-res

Maintenance technicians with the 104th EFS replace parts on the first A-10 going through contingency phase maintenance at Bagram AB. Maintainers here say they are accomplishing the first-ever contingency phase maintenance on the A-10 in the field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnston) Hi-res

Tech. Sgt. Mike Milewski, a crew chief, talks to the pilot of an A-10 during an end-of-runway check. Milewski is with the Maryland ANG´s 104th Fighter Squadron’s end-of-runway crew, which is doing a 30-day tour at the base as part of the 455th EOG. The crew gives each ground-attack fighter a thorough going over before it departs on a mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Reed)

Lt. Col. Dan of the 104th FS explains the capabilities of an A-10 to Tech. Sgt. Donald Richardson, a heating and ventilation technician with the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron at Bagram AB. The A-10 pilots conduct "Warthog" tours for Air Force people here to promote a better understanding of the A-10's capabilities. Dan chose not to release his last name. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnston) Hi-res

AEF Blue

From June 2003:

81st FS, 52nd FW (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany (SP)

Deployed as 81st EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Pat Malackowski. (Originally, the squadron was earmarked to deploy for OIF to Turkey.)

A crew chief from the 455th EOG at Bagram AB marshals an A-10 pilot to a parking spot. The 52nd FW deployed about 150 people and eight A-10s to assume the CAS mission from the Maryland ANG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric M. Grill) Hi-res

First Lt. Erik Axt, 81st EFS, touches down at Bagram AB in A-10 650 after flying a mission on August 14, 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke) Hi-res

First Lt. Erik Axt, 81st EFS, emerges from his A-10 after flying a mission at Bagram AB August 14, 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke)

First Lt. Erik Axt, 81st EFS, emerges from his A-10 after flying a mission here Aug. 14 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke) Hi-res

An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off here Nov. 17 to provide close-air support to the Army's 10th Mountain Division as they pursue Taliban and al-Qaida forces during Operation Mountain Resolve. The A-10 is from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson) Hi-res

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 4) rotation (December 2003 – February 2004)

354th FS, 355th FW (ACC), Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona (DM)

Deployed as 354th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Tim Saffold.

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 4) rotation (March – May 2004) and AEF 9/10 (Cycle 4) rotation (June – August 2004)

355th FS, 354th FW (PACAF), Eielson AFB, Alaska (AK)

Deployed as 355th EFS from 26 Mar - 1 Oct 04. During the six-month deployment, the A-10s flew more than 2,000 sorties and logged more than 7,500 flying hours. The first aircraft returned to Eielson AFB on Sept. 29, 2004.

AEF 1/2 (Cycle 5) rotation (September – December 2004)

USAFE/AFRC "Rainbow Team"
81st FS, 52nd FW (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany (SP)
706th FS, 926th FW (AFRC), NAS JRB New Orleans, Louisiana (NO)

Both units teamed up to form the 81st EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. John Cherrey, 81st FS commander.

AEF 3/4 (Cycle 5) rotation (January – April 2005)

75th FS, 23rd FG (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

Deployed as 75th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Raymond Strasburger, 75th FS commander.
According to Pope Air Force Base´s newsletter "Carolina Flyer" (issue January 21th, 2005), "the aircraft are scheduled to remain at Bagram for the next eight months". That means, the 75th EFS transferred all of their deployed aicraft to the 74th EFS.

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 5) rotation (May – August 2005)

74th FS, 23rd FG (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

Deployed as 74th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Jeff Cowan, 74th FS commander.

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 5) rotation (September – December 2005)

354th FS, 355th FW (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (DM)

Deployed as 354th EFS. Some aircraft returned home on February 8, 2006. At least four returned home on February 10, 2006.

AEF 9/10 (Cycle 5) rotation (January – April 2006)

355th FS, 354th FW (PACAF), Eielson AFB, Alaska (AK)

Deployed as 355th EFS. Aircraft left their home base on January 17, 2006, for a week-long trek to Afghanistan. First stopover in Massachusetts. The unit flew more than 1,500 combat sorties and 5,000 hours in the skies over Afghanistan. This marked the unit’s last A-10 combat deployment.

Airman 1st Class Jeremiah Hansen marshals an A-10 for a Christmas Eve launch here. Hansen and other 354th EFS airmen are deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. They are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Hansen is a crew chief with the squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson) Hi-res

AEF 1/2 (Cycle 6) rotation (May – August 2006)

USAFE/AFRC "Rainbow Team":
81st FS, 52nd FW (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany (SP)
303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (KC)

Deployed as 81th EFS (also called 384th EFS), commanded by Lt. Col. Keith McBride.

303rd FS aircraft left Whiteman AFB on Saturday, May 6, 2006. 81st FS aircraft left Spangdahlem AB on May 10, 2006.

During this deployment the Panthers performed an intensive regimen of combat patrols to find, fix and destroy elusive, guerilla-type enemy combatants in support of ground forces, flying in excess of 2,000 combat sorties and 7,600 combat hours. The Panthers employed over 109,000 rounds of 30mm, dropped 350 guided and conventional bombs, and fired over 325 rockets in support of 260 Coalition force operations. As a direct result of the combat action in the 2006 deployment two pilots in the Panthers won the prestigious Mackay Trophy and the Daedalian Exceptional Pilot Awards.

The six deployed 303rd FS aircraft flew more than 3,912 hours, the equivalent of one airplane flying non-stop for five-and-a-half months. During the deployment, two planes required two phase inspections.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II, flown by pilot, Maj. Mark Ernewein, from the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrives at its deployed location with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing here May 13. Pilots and maintainers from the 442nd FW and the 52nd Fighter Wing, from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will conduct close air support and other air to ground operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The A-10 carries a 30 mm gun and up to 16,000 pounds of bombs and missiles. Its primary role is to support Army Soldiers and other forces operating on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle, 455 AEW/PA)

AEF 3/4 (Cycle 6) rotation (September – December 2006)

75th FS, 23rd FG (ACC), Pope AFB, North Carolina (FT)

Deployed as 75th EFS. This rotation marked the squadron´s last combat deployment from Pope AFB.

Note: According to 455th AEW Public Affairs, in 2006 the A-10 squadrons assigned to Bagram AB flew over 5,000 sorties, totaling more than 18,120 flying hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 6) rotation (January – April 2007)

The A-10s which rotated out of Bagram AB in January were replaced by F-15Es to provide a more robust all-weather capability during the winter months.

For this rotation ACC replaced the A-10 by F-15E Strike Eagles.

The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory January 14, 2007. F-15E Strike Eagles, deployed from the 391st FS at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, put wheels down, and started a new chapter in the wing's history.
The 391st EFS´s deployment marked the first time an Air Force F-15E unit has served at the base.

The 391st EFS, deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, arrived at Bagram Jan. 14 and began conducting the close air support mission traditionally performed by A-10s in Afghanistan. For the past year, Wrangler said, "we've been shaping our training for what we'd be doing here."

Wrangler said the F-15E brings speed and versatility of weapons to the fight. The SDB is just one of several munitions the Strike Eagle is capable of carrying. The F-15E also has an all-weather capability that aids in delivering close air support to ISAF and their partnered Afghan ground forces.

A-10s from the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrived April 17 to bring increased versatility to the capabilities of the aircraft stationed here. This is the second deployment for the squadron since 2006.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Miller, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, said the A-10s, in addition to the F-15Es already here, will provide theater commanders with an even more robust spectrum of air-to-ground capabilities.

The A-10s that rotated out of Bagram in January were replaced by the F-15E, which provided a more robust all-weather capability during the winter months. The current rotation of A-10s will operate in addition to the F-15Es already on station.

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 6) rotation (May – August 2007)

354th FS, 355th FW (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (DM)

Deployed as 354th EFS. Aircraft left Davis-Monthan AB on April 7, 2007. Arrival at Bagram AB on April 17, 2007. 10 A-10 pilots and their aircraft returned home October 26, 2007. Before landing, the jets flew one last pass in formation over the flight line. During this six- or seven-month deployment the 354th EFS pilots completed 2519 sorties, 10051 total hours - 55.5 hours daily average - and had 153,710 30 mm expenditures.

AEF 9/10 (Cycle 6) rotation (September – December 2007)

For this rotation again only a Strike Eagle unit was deployed to Bagram AB: the 336th EFS from Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.

On November 3, 2007, USAF grounded all of its F-15s in response to the crash of a Missouri ANG F-15C in Boss, Missouri. USAF restricted flights of F-15Es and F-15 Eagles to "mission-critical" sorties only. Training, test and most combat missions were grounded. At Bagram AB the Strike Eagles sat on combat alert status but were not assigned to pre-planned or on-call missions.

The grounding forced CENTCOM to use other Air Force, Navy and French fighters to fill the gaps, though Strike Eagles did fly to support troops in battle in Afghanistan as an emergency measure while they were still under grounding orders

Aditionally, CENTCOM decided to relocate A-10s from Al Asad Airfield, Iraq, to Bagram AB. Originally, the A-10s were deployed for OIF to the 438th AEG, a subordinated unit of the 332nd AEW at Balad AB, Iraq. According to 332nd AEW Public Affairs, the 438th AEG relocated 80% of their 360 Airmen and all A-10s to Bagram AB "in <52 hrs of Warning Order" following worldwide grounding of the F-15 fleet.
The 438th AEG was the first unit to fly newly upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt IIs in combat.

ANG "Rainbow Team"

104th FS, 175th Wg (Maryland ANG), Martin State AP Air Guard Station, Baltimore,(MD)
78-0637, 78-0683, 78-0705, 78-0717, 79-0087

172nd FS, 110th FW (Michigan ANG), Battle Creek (BC)
80-0255, 80-0257, 81-0975, 81-0994

Deployed as 104th EFS, commanded by Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, 104th FS commander. The unit returned home in mid-January 2008.

AEF 1/2 (Cycle 7) rotation (January - April 2008)

81st FS, 52nd FW (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany (SP)

13 A-10s

79-0207, 80-0281, 81-0945, 81-0951, 81-0952, 81-0963, 81-0966, 81-0976, 81-0978, 81-0983, 81-0984, 81-0992, 82-0649

Deployed as 81st EFS.

For pictures of all Spang "Hogs" which returned recently from Bagram AB please check
www.flugzeugforum.de. You must go to the Forum, then to Flugplätze, and then to Spangdahlem (ETAD) aktuell 2008. For the pictures and related comments check pages 42 - 46.

AEF 3/4 (Cycle 7) rotation (May - August 2008)

A-10 "Rainbow Team"

12 A-10s

303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (KC)
78-0655, 79-0093, 79-0119, 79-0123

103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)
80-0230, 80-0273, 81-0981, 82-0659

190th FS, 124th Wg (Idaho ANG), Boise, Idaho (ID)
78-0611, 78-0627, 78-0653, 80-0250

Departed Whiteman AFB on May 6. Serial numbers spotted during stopover at Lajes on May 8. On their way back to CONUS, the first six aircraft (78-0655, 79-0119, 79-0123, 80-0230, 80-0250, 80-0273) passed through Lajes on September 21, followed by the other six on September 24.

A-10s take off from the Whiteman runway May 6, as part of an OEF deployment.
(U.S. Air Force photos by Tech. Sgt. Samuel A. Park)

AEF 5/6 (Cycle 7) rotation (September - December 2008)

75th FS, 23rd FG, 23rd Wg (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia (FT)

12 A-10Cs
78-0674 (74th FS, marked 74 FS), 78-0679 (75th FS), 78-0697 (74th FS), 79-0138 (75th FS), 79-0172 (74th FS, ex 190th FS), 79-0179 (74th FS), 79-0186 (75th FS), 79-0192 (74th FS), 80-0140 (74th FS), 80-0149 (75th FS), 80-0178 (74th FS), 80-0226 (74th FS, ex 190th FS)

Deployed as 75th EFS. All twelve serial numbers were identified by European aircraft spotters during the aircraft's arrival for stopover at Lajes Airfield on September 8, 2008. But current squadron assignments of each individual aircraft were provided exclusively to me on November 16 via e-mailed photos taken by João Toste, Portugal. This OEF rotation marked the squadron's first combat deployment from Moody AFB.

Some of the Moody A-10Cs during their stopover at Lajes enroute Bagram AB, Afghanistan. (Photo by João Toste)

Due to a partial A-10 grounding, the 75th EFS got four replacements (including 79-0135 and 80-0272, both from the 74th FS). 80-0140 and 80-0149 relocated to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for inspections and repairs.

After the A-10 groundings due to wing cracks, Moody AFB officially deployed four additional aircraft as replacements to allow relocate jets of the original aircraft package to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for inspections and repairs.

In a commentary, published on Moody’s public website on November 21th, 2008, Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd Wing Commander, said:

"I want to extend my personal thanks to each of you for your participation in Exercise Flying Tiger 08-11. During the Phase I portion we deployed over 300 personnel, 300+ tons of cargo, four real-world A-10C Thunderbolt II aircrafts for Operation Enduring Freedom, and one real-world HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to support the Space Shuttle launch. […]"

Source

According to the Scramble Message Board, these four aircraft (probably all from the 74th Fighter Squadron) arrived for stopover at Lajes Field, Azores, on October 22nd, 2008, one day later as expected. They should have landed at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, as Trend 41 on October 29th, 2008.

Part of this flight were at least:

79-0135, 74th FS [USAF photo 7 November 2008]
80-0272, 74th FS [USAF photo 7 November 2008]

On November 22nd, 2008, on the Scramble Message Board was reported that four more A-10s routed Lajes, Sigonella and Middle East (that means Al Udeid AB, Qatar) as more replacements for the 75th EFS.

After that, three more replacements were identified:

80-0144, 74th FS [USAF photo 2 December 2008]
80-0228, 74th FS [USAF photo 24 February 2009] (aircraft identified only by numbers on ejection seat and left canopy rail)
80-0252, 75th FS [USAF photo 24 February 2009]

Meanwhile, a sixth and a seventh replacement are identified by private shots, posted on airliners.net:

82-0657, 74th FS [Chris Hagstrom photo 12 December 2008]
81-0944, without unit markings (ex 190th FS, 124th Wg, Idaho ANG) [Chris Hagstrom photo 14 December 2008] Scramble Aircraft Database notes: Ogden ALC sep07 nm, rep AMARG nov08

On March 11th, 2009, on the Scramble Message Board was reported that 4 A-10s are at Sigonella and will depart early next day to Lajes and then to CONUS on March 13th.

The re-deployment of four A-10s suggest that Bagram AB was simply overloaded with 20 A-10Cs, 18 F-15E Strike Eagles, probably four to six EA-6B Prowlers and some other aircraft.

AEF 7/8 (Cycle 7) rotation (January - April 2009)

74th FS, 23rd FG, 23rd Wg (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia (FT)

In early March 2009, the 75th EFS was replaced by the 74th EFS, but only by personnel.

Reported on Scramble Message Board April 23, 2009: Six A-10s should be departing from Lajes to Sigonella tomorrow (Thursday) as Mazda 81-86 with KC-10 Gold 31. They arrived at Lajes from Moody AFB yesterday under Coronet East 122.

Reported on Scramble Message Board May 19, 2009: Mazda 81-86 were probably 81-0964, 78-0598, 78-0600, 82-0664, 78-0596 and 81-0979. That suggest six "fresh" Moody A-10Cs were deployed as further replacements to support the extended deployment.

Photographed at Lajes on May 3, 2009, was A-10 79-0138 of the original aircraft package. Photo by Fábio Pinheiro, first-published on www.azoresairphotos.com: Full size

Reported by André Inácio, Portugal, July 6, 2009, in an email to me: Four A-10s arrived at Lajes May 3, 2009, and departed May 5, 2009: 78-0679, 79-0138, 79-0179 (all three of the original aircraft package), and 80-0144 (one of the first eight replacements). They were on their way back to Moody AFB.

Photographed at Lajes June 13, 2009, was A-10 81-0979 (one of the six "fresh" Moody A-10Cs and probably returning to Moody AFB. The following picture was first-published on airliners.net.

A-10 81-0979 from the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia, caught at Lajes Field, Azores, June 13, 2009 - either enroute to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, or on their way back home to Moody AFB. Visible loadout: MXU-648 baggage pods on stations 4 and 8, external fuel tank on station 6. (Photo by Paulo Santos) Hi-res

Photographer's comment: This was some strange way to leave our island! After take-off, they came back, with this A-10 doing an emergency landing! Someone forgot to close some kind of hatch, and it opened inflight! Her it is again, taking-off for the second time that day.

Photographed at the same day at Lajes was A-10 81-0967, also from the 74th Fighter Squadron. Photo by Fábio Pinheiro, first-published on www.azoresairphotos.com: Full size

In an email from July 4, 2009, André Inácio told me that both aircraft arrived June 11 and departed June 13, 2009.

AEF 9/10 (Cycle 7) rotation (May - August 2009)

74th FS, 23rd FG, 23rd Wg (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia (FT)

Deployed as 74th EFS.

AEF 1/2 (Cycle 8) rotation (September - December 2009)

354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona

As Stars and Stripes reported earlier this year, elements from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, with at least twelve of their upgraded A-10Cs were scheduled to deploy as 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for this rotation.

But instead of that, in July 2009, elements of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, deployed with 12 A-10Cs as 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of a new-activated 451st Air Expeditionary Wing (formerly the 451st Air Expeditionary Group). According to news sources, this will be a six-month deployment.

Deployed aircraft:

78-0684 (marked 354 FS/CC), 78-0709 (still without new unit markings), 79-0202, 80-0142, 80-0150, 80-0155 (still without new unit markings), 80-0179, 80-0280, 80-0246 (still without new unit markings), 81-0948, 81-0950, 82-0663.

According to other news sources, A-10Cs from the 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard), Fort Smith, will deploy for OEF in spring 2010.

Related info:
354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron

The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing

Hi-res

On July 2, 2009, the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, transitioned to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. Command of the 451st AEW was assumed by Brigadier General Guy M. Walsh, formerly commander of the 175th Wing (Maryland Air National Guard). Up to this date, the 451st AEG was a geographically separated unit of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, and was comprised of more than 400 Airmen who provided medical evacuation capability throughout Afghanistan with HH-60 Pave Hawks, and also intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions with unmanned aerial systems (MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAVs).

In early October 2009, the 451st AEW launched their own and long-awaited public website, called The Official Web Site of Kandahar Airfield.

Some official unit info from this website:

The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing provides a persistent and powerful airpower presence in the Afghanistan area of operations. 451st AEW Airmen provide world-class Tactical Airlift, Close Air Support, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Command and Control, Airborne Datalink, Combat Search and Rescue, Casualty Evacuation and Aeromedical Evacuation capabilities whenever and wherever needed.

The 451st Expeditionary Operations Group is responsible for conducting flying and aero-medical evacuation operations for the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. The group oversees the day-to-day operations of one A-10 Thunderbolt II squadron, one C-130H airlift squadron, an HH-60 Pave Hawk combat search and rescue squadron, Tactical Airborne Gateway, MQ-1, MQ-9 Sq and a Control Reporting Center. The 451 EOG also has command of rescue and airlift detachments at FOB Bastion. Additionally, the operations group oversees a range of support functions such as airfield management and operations, intelligence, and weather.

The 451st Expeditionary Mission Support Group provides combat mission support with motivated personnel in four squadrons and one flight to include a Civil Engineer Squadron, Communications Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron and Force Support Flight. The 451st EMSG works in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Operation Enduring Freedom and is responsible for mission support to a composite wing comprised of tactical airlift, close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, airborne datalink, combat search and rescue, casualty and aeromedical evacuation capabilities.

The 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Group consists of maintainers working in two expeditionary maintenance squadrons providing world-class flightline, backshop, and munitions support for aircraft across eight different mission data series in the largest maintenance complex in the southwest area of responsibility. Missions include close air support, tactical air support, intelligence/ surveillance/ reconnaissance, tactical airborne gateway, combat search and rescue, and medical evacuation to support joint/coalition/NATO forces promoting democracy and human rights.

Related info:
Latest A-10 OEF deployment info from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
Kandahar Airmen use AFSO 21 at war
Commander discusses challenges facing new AEW
First A-10Cs at Kandahar

ANG "Rainbow Team"

In January 2010, the 354th EFS at Kandahar Airfield was replaced by an Air National Guard "Rainbow Team", consisting of elements from the 104th Fighter Squadron, 175th Wing (Maryland ANG), Martin State AP Air Guard Station, Baltimore, Maryland (tailcode MD), and from the 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas ANG), Fort Smith Regional Airport, Fort Smith, Arkansas (tailcode FS).

The following A-10Cs arrived at Kandahar January 11 and 13, 2010:

104th Fighter Squadron, 175th Wing (Maryland Air National Guard), Martin State AP Air Guard Station, Baltimore, Maryland (tailcode MD):

78-0640, 78-0682, 78-0702, 78-0720, 79-0082, 79-0165, 78-0719

184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard), Fort Smith Regional Airport, Fort Smith, Arkansas (tailcode FS):

78-0613, 78-0646, 78-0659, 79-0129, 80-0166

During the first half of this four-month combat deployment, the unit was designated 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, during the second half it would be designated 184th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. 104th EFS commander was Lt. Col. Patrick McAlister.

81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron

In May 2010, the ANG "Rainbow Team" was replaced by the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron with twelve A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

Already identified by USAF photos from Kandahar are A-10Cs 81-0945, 81-0980, 82-0649, 82-0654.

Please note: As Stars and Stripes reported in early 2009, elements from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, with at least twelve of their upgraded A-10Cs were scheduled to deploy as 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for USAF's AEF 1/2 (Cycle 8) rotation (September - December 2009). But instead of that, in July 2009, elements of the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, deployed with 12 A-10Cs as 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of a new-activated 451st Air Expeditionary Wing (formerly the 451st Air Expeditionary Group).

The first ten A-10Cs from the 81st EFS returned home to Spang September 27, 2010:

A-10C 80-0275
A-10C 81-0945
A-10C 81-0963
A-10C 81-0976
A-10C 81-0980
A-10C 81-0985
A-10C 81-0991
A-10C 82-0649
A-10C 82-0654
A-10C 82-0656

On the same day, the following two A-10Cs from the 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Wing (Idaho Air National Guard), Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, arrived at Lajes for stopover enroute back to CONUS:

A-10C 78-0703
A-10C 79-0194, marked 124 OG as the 124th Operations Group's bird

Both Hogs were part of a surge deployment to reinforce the 81st EFS at Kandahar.

23rd Fighter Group

In September 2010, the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron replaced the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem AB, Germany. Originally, the 81st EFS was deployed with 12 A-10Cs. Later, related to a surge, it was reinforced by six more A-10Cs from Spang and two ANG A-10Cs.

Originally, the following 18 23rd Fighter Group aircraft deployed:

A-10C 78-0596, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 78-0600, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 78-0688, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0139, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0159, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0172, 74th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0206, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0207, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0223, marked 23 FG as 23rd Fighter Group flagship
A-10C 80-0172, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 80-0180, marked 476th FG as 476th Fighter Group flagship
A-10C 80-0208, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 80-0223, marked 23 WG as 23rd Wing flagship
A-10C 80-0259, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 80-0282, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 81-0947, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 81-0953, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 81-0995, 75th Fighter Squadron

WHAT A GREAT VIEW: All eighteen 75th EFS A-10Cs are parking at Lajes Field, Azores, diverted in three sections of six aircraft each. (Photo by André Inácio) Full size

Later, the 75th EFS was downsized from 18 to 12 aircraft. On December 6, 2010, six A-10Cs from the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived at Lajes Field, Azores, for stopover enroute back to CONUS:

A-10C 78-0600, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 78-0688, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0172, 74th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 79-0207, 75th Fighter Squadron
A-10C 80-0223, marked 23 WG as the 23rd Wing's flagship
A-10C 81-0947, 75th Fighter Squadron