Barksdale to begin A-10 tranfers

The 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., will start transferring its 24 A-10C Thunderbolt II jet aircraft to other units beginning April 8 as part of force structure changes authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Greg Steele)

Barksdale to begin A-10 transfers

Published April 3, 2013

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 917th Fighter Group here will start transferring its 24 A-10C Thunderbolt II jet aircraft to other units beginning April 8 as part of force structure changes authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2013.

The official transfers will start with three aircraft. One A-10C will be transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Two others will be transferred to the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB.

Over the coming months, one additional A-10C will transfer to the AMARG; five aircraft will transfer to the 442nd FW, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and the remaining 15 will transfer to the 355th FW at Davis-Monthan AFB.

In addition to the loss of aircraft, the FY13 NDAA authorizes the inactivation of the 917th FG and 47th Fighter Squadron. A date for the inactivation has not been announced, but it is expect to occur sometime during the last quarter of 2013.

"The 917th Fighter Group proudly served our nation at Barksdale and deployed locations for over 50 years. It has been an honor to be a part of Team Barksdale and the local community," said Col. John Breazeale, 917th FG commander.