Posted on 02/11/2015 12:33:11 PM PST by McGruff
The U.S. Air Force has deployed 12 A-10 Thunderbolt attack planes and approximately 300 personnel to Spangdahlem airbase, in Germany, as part of a so-called TSP (theater security package) in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The aircraft are from the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and are expected to be ready to fulfil the TSP mission by the end of the month: TSPs are meant to augment U.S. Air Force in Europe support to Operation Atlantic Resolve, “the demonstration of U.S. European Command and United States Air Forces in Europe’s continued commitment to the collective security of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and dedication to the enduring peace and stability in the region.”
The A-10 has been designed to attack Soviet tanks during a Soviet invasion across the German plain and the Fulda Gap and has been a part of the AirLand Battle Doctrine pursued in the late 1970s/ early 1980s; therefore an eventual involvement in a (proxy or direct) war with Russia is quite unlikely.
Therefore, the Warthog return to Europe after the last permanent unit was withdrawn in 2013, is just symbolic. The A-10 is more suitable for other scenarios, like Afghanistan or Iraq.
By rotating A-10s and other assets to Europe, Washington flexes its muscles amidst growing tensions with Moscow: officially, 6-month TSPs enable joint training among NATO units, but they are just another way to increase presence in Europe and reassure regional allies.
Noteworthy, after a first period at the airbase in Germany, the first TSP and its A-10s will forward deploy to some unspecified locations in Eastern European NATO nations.
Shipping A-10’s to Europe, Resolution of War today, Defense Budjet cuts...
For an obsolete aircraft, it’s sure in big demand.
Yep, maybe we will give some old planes to Ukraine?
Cant unleash them on ISIS, but we like to pretend Russia is about to roll through Germany and act tough.
Obama seems to have resurrected the Cold War almost single handedly and is putting our troops right in the middle of a really nasty shooting war between the Ukraine and Russia that Obama helped instigate.
Not really happy about that.
The A-10 is a wonderful plane for use against savages.
Without complete air supremacy provided by F-15s/16/18s (and because of abundant ground-to-air Russian missiles) they would be little more than flying targets for the Russians.
As well as using that depleted Uranium Nose Gatling Canon on them.
I thought they were worthless and obsolete
Palin was aware of the Russian threat to Ukraine back in 2008 and warned us to show a strong front against Russian aggression.
If ISIS can shoot down an F-16, then A-10s aren’t in for a cake walk.
Obama answered by disarming us.
Yeah,,, and without a picket of destroyers and subs, a carrier wouldn’t make it across the Atlantic intact.
And our infantry would get mowed down like grass without artillery, tanks, and other supporting arms.
So yes, if we had a war against a nation with fighter jets, and we only brought A-10s, yes, they would soon be shot down.
That’s a trite argument.
I assume you support us helping Ukraine then and showing strong NATO resistance to this Russian invasion as they strive to move their Army up to NATO’s borders?
It would give them a real advantage. They’d need the pilots.
Shooting down an F-16 pulling out of a run at 5000 feet is MUCH easier than a Warthog at cropduster height. That’s with AA guns or MANPADs. And a charming Warthog skill is that 2 of them can literally keep you under one of their guns almost continuously.
And they are FAR more able to absorb battle damage than a 16.
I live west of Davis-Monthan and have noticed a big reduction in A-10 flights the past few days.
Question for those who might know.... how do they get the A-10’s from here to there? Do they fly and refuel? Do they hop scotch? Do they ship them? UPS?
No, really. I am curious.
1) PULL ALL OUR PEOPLE OUT OF THE SANDBOX.
2) GLASS IT OVER.
3) HUNT DOWN THE REST OF THE TERRORSCUM AROUND THE WORLD AND KILL THEM!
4) NO DEPORTATION.
5) NO PRISON.
6) RINSE & REPEAT.
You are thinking of the ones in My Tagline...
From another article:
Although the caption of the following picture reads “more than a dozen A-10 Thunderbolt….” I can count 19 such combat planes belonging to the 354 FS, 355th Fighter Wing from Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona at Westover Air Reserve Base.
Westover airfield, in Massachusetts, has long runways, ample ramp space (to accomodate C-5 Galaxy cargo planes) that make it an ideal stop for combat units on their way overseas.
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