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Are they retiring the jets or are they beefing the remaining units back up to 24 UE, the number that was the correct one from the start, i.e.before McPeak?

The ANG units on the block are the ones that just converted from F-16s. Of course most Guard units come with at least 1 congressman & 2 senators, so those may not be done deals...yet.

Hi All-

Sad news, guess it`s official now since it is on the Spang web site for the first time.
Speculations did become reality.
One nicer place less in the A-10 world to be stationed at besides one of the Squadrons with a long tie to germany going.
For sure the A-10 will be missed been seen in the german skies like they did for the last 30 years +.
Hopefully the 81st be back with F-35`s in the future.

Cheers- Bat


http://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/news/stor ... =123290491

Sad day for the European A-10 lovers.

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73-1664

That's what we're hoping! At .28 cents on the dollar we can provide nearly the same as active duty units for a substantial savings.

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SoWW #2485
Cave Putorium!

It's sad as the Panthers are/were the last Hog unit in Europe and it will be the first time since June 1979 that there aren't any A-10s in USAFE.

They are also the last remnants of the 81 TFW (when the Panthers lost their F-4Gs on 18 February 1994, the 81 FS was built from jets out from the 510 TFS, which was transferred to the 52 FW at Spang on 4 January 1993).

As someone who was at Bentwaters during the Cold War, I never thought I'd see the day when there were no Hogs in Europe!

Cheers! M2

A sad day for us European Hog lovers.

I agree, sad day when theres no more Hogs in Europe. I remember the day the last ones flew out of Bentwaters.

I think as a tribute to the A-10's 30 plus service in Europe, the USAF ought to donate one to the museum at Bentwaters as that was where its residency began. And to be fair there is a Hog gate guard at Alconbury and Spang, so its only right and fitting that there is an A10 to represent the 81st TFW and the 6 squadrons that flews the hog from Bentwaters and Woodbridge.

Jon

Nice thought, I'm sure Spang have the ex 91st TFS Hog 76-550 as a BDR airframe.......maybe they can spare that.

Maybe I have missed something, is there any date set for the disbandment?
Hopefully we will get to say farewell to the Hog in Europe at this year's RIAT.

Can anyone confirm this please, as it may be another avenue to investigate.

There is a guy earlier in this thread based at Spang, he may know of the current status of 550.

If you do try to apply, you'll need a guy with a keen sense of USAFE Hog history, the current USAFE commander flew Hogs for 3 years at Woodbridge with the 78th TFS in the good old days........get your begging letter in now!

It's in hand

It seems that the Hog in question is 77-264..........dont know where 550 came from
Quite likely 264 would have been in the initial batch of Hogs at the 81st in 1979/80.

BCWM PM sent.

The head of the USAFM is ex 81st - 510thTFS

Heard rumor of Spang personnel being redirected to Whiteman late summer for the TFI also getting the extra airframes in the short future

Lt Gen John "Jack" L. Hudson (Ret) was also an A-10 test pilot at Edwards...

Cheers! M2