Free Republic

Texas authorities have begun arresting illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in Eagle Pass, according to multiple reports. This week, Texas Department of Public Safety Spokesman Chris Olivarez shared on X that illegal immigrants would be arrested going forward. “Under the authority of Gov. @GregAbbott_TX’s Border Disaster Declaration, @TxDPS Troopers are arresting illegal immigrants for criminal trespass at #ShelbyPark in Eagle Pass,” he wrote. “Troopers are enforcing criminal trespass on single adult men & women. The State of #Texas will maintain a proactive posture in curbing illegal border crossings between the ports of entry.”

The Air Force is indefinitely doing away with its plan to retire the A-10 jet, a move that seems both inevitable and shocking, given the aggressive steps leadership has taken to get rid of the aircraft and the fierce push back they received in response. The remarkably high demand for A-10s from commanders is almost universally cited among critics of the A-10 decommissioning process. More details will be available when the Pentagon’s 2017 budget plan to keep the bird is sent over to Congress for consideration.

The Pentagon is deploying 300 airmen and 12 A-10 combat jets to the Middle East in early October, according to the Indiana Air National Guard.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has announced plans for the deployment of new Russian-made tanks and combat helicopters on the border with Colombia, RIA Novosti reported. Ties between Venezuela and Colombia deteriorated last August after Washington signed a deal with Bogota allowing U.S. forces to run anti-drug operations from Colombian bases. Chavez has criticized the deal and called for the Venezuelan people and army to prepare for a war.

With their bright yellow and pink hair ribbons, matching dresses and shiny patent leather shoes, the little girls were more than ready Saturday for an Easter parade. Despite the early morning hour and the slight chill in the air, Paige Hargis, 6, and her sister, Summer, 4, danced around their mother, Sarah, 28, who was waiting with the rest of the crowd for the parade to start. This parade, however, was like no other. For one, many of those in the crowd wore plastic orange cones in their ears to muffle the roar. And, instead of being made up of...

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...

8/22/2006 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Six U.S. and coalition troops peer out from a remote position on a ridge top in Afghanistan. At sunset on the third day of their vigil, a large force of Taliban extremists carrying heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades surround and pin down the team. By design, an Air Force joint tactical air controller is with the team. His job is to direct strike aircraft to targets on the ground. The situation on the ridge line is desperate until an Air Force pilot flying an A-10 Thunderbolt II in the vicinity contacts...

8/15/2006 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN) -- At first glance the A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit looks like a Category 5 tornado just touched down in the middle of it. The chaotic scene, with hundreds of loose wires and instrumentation ripped from consoles, is really the beginning of modifications that will extend the service life of A-10s while increasing their capabilities. Known as the precision engagement, or PE, program, the plan is designed to facilitate the use of smart munitions and update the cockpit so it is more in line with that of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 508th...

/23/2006 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) -- This base continues to absorb people and planes from hurricane-ravaged Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, La., accepting the second to last A-10 Thunderbolt II March 16. Falling in line with Base Realignment and Closure committee recommendations, the original plan had the naval base delivering aircraft and people to Whiteman over three years. Hurricane Katrina shortened that plan considerably. “We’re cramming three years of work into the next eight months,” said Col. Patrick Cord, 442nd Fighter Wing commander. “I’m confident the wing is up to the challenge. We’re professional, we’re experienced...

12/28/2005 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- A-10 Thunderbolt IIs continue taking the fight to the enemy by providing close air support to U.S. and coalition forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Shortly after deploying in September to this base at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains from Davis-Monthan Air Base, Ariz., the 354th Fighter Squadron “Bulldogs” began making history. “Our A-10s have provided non-stop presence and lethal firepower since we arrived,” said the squadron commander Lt. Col. Martha McSally. “From ensuring the success of Afghanistan’s first-ever provincial elections on Sept. 18 to the first seating of an...