New Orleans A-10s arrive at Whiteman

Published March 23, 2006

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The eighth A-10 aircraft from the 926th Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, La., arrived here March 16.

In addition to the aircraft, Whiteman’s 442nd FW must assimilate an estimated 185 to 200 new jobs as it prepares to increase from 15 to 24 A-10s under a base realign and closure action. Other challenges facing the Air Force Reserve Command wing are preparations to deploy this summer to Southwest Asia, modifications to its aircraft and upcoming inspections.

“We’re cramming three years of work into the next eight months,” said Col. Patrick Cord, 442nd FW commander. “I’m confident the wing is up to the challenge. We’re professional, we’re experienced and we’ve proven ourselves in combat.

“The task we face now is deciding how we’re going to manage the integration of nine more aircraft and the additional people into our existing facilities and organization,” he said.

While the timeline for realigning the 926th FW is earlier than expected, officials at Headquarters AFRC, Robins AFB, Ga., stress that an early move is necessary because of Hurricane Katrina’s damage to the New Orleans base.

“The timeline for moving aircraft and closing the 926th Fighter Wing is based on two key factors – the need to transform the military and the way we do business, and taking care of our personnel,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Stenner, director of plans and programs at Headquarters AFRC. “Mission demands dictate that timeline.”

After assessing the hurricane’s damage, it was determined that the 926th FW would not be able to maintain wartime readiness past a certain point.

To help the 442nd FW with manpower issues related to the BRAC decision, a site activation task force team from AFRC headquarters visited Whiteman AFB March 7-9 to assess the needs of the agencies and units in the wing impacted most by the addition of nine aircraft. An environmental impact assessment must also be made before the transfer is complete.

In addition to caring for more aircraft, the 442nd Maintenance Group is likely to gain most of the new people with the transfer.

“In the short term, it’s going to be extremely busy, accepting airplanes and accomplishing the flying mission short-handed,” said Chief Master Sgt. Donald Shoop, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “Our goal is to have all of our (full-time) air reserve technician positions filled by October.”

The 442nd Operations Group will gain the rest of the new positions and face an increase in its flying-hour budget to match the additional aircraft.

“(The flying-hour budget) is going to go up proportionally to what it is now,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Chappel, 303rd Fighter Squadron director of operations. “We will be flying a lot more jets on a day-to-day basis. We’re flying 13 sorties a day now and we’re looking at increasing that to 18 sorties.”

The last A-10 from New Orleans is expected to arrive at Whiteman AFB in June when it will be released from the depot maintenance facility at Hill AFB, Utah. (AFRC News Service from a 442nd FW news release)