Posted on 01/22/2007 12:04:36 PM PST by SandRat
1/22/2007 - AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) -- A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Group landed one by one at their new home Jan. 17 here.
A formation of more than 200 Airmen assembled for the 438th AEG activation and assumption of command ceremony Jan. 15 as the unit is in the Al Anbar province to provide close-air support to coalition forces in the region.
"We feel extremely honored to support the Combined Forces Air Component commander's mission in Iraq and to be joining the proud heritage of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing -- the Tuskegee Airmen," said Col. Patrick Malackowski, the 438th AEG commander.
The 438th AEG falls under the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq. Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the 332nd AEW commander, presided over the ceremony and welcomed the 438th AEG into the wing.
"Just like the P-47 Thunderbolts that provided close-air support for Marines storming the beaches of Iwo Jima 60 years ago, the modern-day warriors of this group will soon be providing close-air support in A-10 Thunderbolts for Marines on the streets of Ramadi and Fallujah," General Rand said. "Together, we will influence the course of history and help Iraq transition to democracy."
At Al Asad AB, the A-10s will join the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), soon to be replaced by the 2nd MAW (Forward), as the primary units operating from the base. Marine F-18 Hornets, C-130 Hercules, EA-6 Prowlers, AV-8 Harriers and several types of rotary wing aircraft are currently in use here.
With the addition of the A-10s, the 332nd AEW now has five primary aircraft in its inventory, including F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and HH-60 Pave Hawk combat-search-and-rescue helicopters. The addition of the A-10s greatly increases the wing's role in providing precision weapons and sensors employment.
"In my opinion there are no pilots who perform close air support better than A-10 pilots," General Rand said. "The 438th Air Expeditionary Group's mission against anti-Iraqi forces will be vital in helping to secure victory in Iraq."
The A-10s are deployed from the 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Their distinctive shark teeth nose art identifies them as direct descendants of the famed World War II P-40 fighters known as the "Flying Tigers." The original shark's teeth and eyes were designed to scare enemies during battles in Burma and China.
Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group retrieve one of the newly assigned A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft Jan. 17 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The unit's mission is to provide close-air support for coalition forces in the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chief Master Sgt. Bryce Maxson)
Any enemy not scared to death of that beast has no idea what it can do.
Roll out the Warthogs!
Don't ya just love the A-10.
It's not really an airplane.
It's a giant gatling gun with wings bolted to it.
bump
This should get countless sphincters puckering in Al Anbar.
There's an aircraft that deserves to have the production line retooled for.
Fairchild Republic got the Hog right the first time!
[Don't ya just love the A-10.
It's not really an airplane.
It's a giant gatling gun with wings bolted to it.]
I do love it! Looking at it makes you think the engines were an afterthought....
"Let's see....Put a cockpit on top of this great big gun. Sam, we are going to need some wings, keep it simple! What?....It's ok if the wheels stick out the bottom. Bob, good looking tail! Does it work? Perfect! Oh, yeah! Ted, throw a couple of those bullet proof engines on it. What? I don't care where! Just don't burn up that cool tail and keep em outa the way of the gun!"
United States Air Force rocks!!!!
USAF (1989-1995)
We need to get serious with these ****heads
This is the best example of a airborne ground support firebase that exists, and they want to replace it with the F-22??
I lived next to the Myrtle Beach Airforce base before Clinton shut it down. I believe it was the 354th(?)FW that was based there when they went to IRAQ in Gulf War 1. I used sit on my balcony or at the beach and watch them in the air. Til this day I still think the A-10 is one of the best bad-asses the Airforce has ever had.
Quiet, you will make the Marines jealous!
SNORT SNORT SNORT
don't forget the titanium bathtub on top.
An A-10 that got shot up in Iraq, but kept on flying.
http://www.kather.org/HomeSecure/photos/A10.htm
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