Reserve A-10s arrive in Afghanistan

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/Maj. David Kurle, 455 AEW/PA)

Air Force Reserve, active-duty A-10s deploy to Afghanistan

Published May 16, 2006
By Master Sgt. Orville Desjarlais
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A mix of active-duty and Air Force Reserve Command units started landing their A-10 Thunderbolt IIs here May 13 to take part in Air Expeditionary Force 1 and 2.

The 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is composed of the lead unit 81st Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and the 303rd FS from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The 81st FS is part of the 52nd Fighter Wing, and the 303rd FS is part of the 442nd FW.

This is the third time the 81st FS has deployed to Bagram Airfield and the second time it’s deployed with a Reserve unit.

“We have a lot of experience with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Lt. Col. Keith McBride, the 81st EFS commander. “The 303rd also brings with it a lot of combat experience.”

The 303 rd FS deployed to Bagram Airfield in 2002 when maintenance operations were conducted out of two tents, said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Brazeal, the aircraft maintenance unit chief.

“We’ve got actual buildings to work out of,” Chief Brazeal said. “In my opinion, it’s a huge improvement over the past few years in that we have a full-up facility to work out of.”

The A-10s fly daily missions in support of military operations throughout the country. Most of the sorties support Army ground operations through a mixture of close air support, reconnaissance, and pre-planned operations. (AFRC News Service)