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“Big group at D-M heading off to war”
According to this news story from the “Arizona Daily Star” (published online on August 5, 2005), “dozens of warplanes” and “up to 1,500 personnel” from the 355th Wing at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, will head overseas next month for Iraq, Afghanistan and other sites around the world. A/OA-10As from the 354th FS “Bulldogs” will lead “the charge”. Squadron commander is Lt. Col. Martha McSally, “the first active-duty woman to head an Air Force fighter squadron”. She took over this command in July 2004.
(Story by Carol Ann Alaimo, “Arizona Daily Star”)

The full story with a picture of McSally is currently online at:
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/allh ... /87284.php

For more about McSally read the following articles:

“Woman to head Air Force fighter squad unit”
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/rela ... /20292.php

“McSally takes command of air combat squadron”
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/rela ... /30666.php

A note from me:
This is a long scheduled deployment as part of USAF´s Air Expeditionary Force´s (Cycle 5) AEF 7/8 rotation (September – December 2005). Since the withdrawal of the last OIF A/OA-10A detachment from Kirkuk AB, Iraq, all of the following AEF rotations included Warthog deployments to only one “frontline” destination: Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. In this context, it is an “open secret”, that the 354th FS (which deploys probably as 354th EFS) will replace the 74th EFS (74th FS, 23rd FG, Pope AFB), currently deployed to Bagram Airfield during AEF 5/6 (May – August 2005).
All units selected for AEF Cycle 5 (September 2004 – April 2006) were “semi-officially” disclosed by the “Air Force Magazine” (May 2005 issue, see “USAF Almanac 2005”, chapter “The Air Force in Facts and Figures”).

Regards
J.J.<b></b>

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

DOH! I wish I was going this year. Looks like I'll be admining www.gutshouseofchili.com for this one!!

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3 Branches down... 2 to go!
Put on your tinfoil hats, the black choppers are coming, and I'm calling them in.
Former DCC OA-10A T/N 80-278

I see [she whose name is not to be spoken] is still wearing a man's hat...and you guys owe some beers!

Cheers! M2

Hi Ree,
many thanks for this posted exclusive photo! It is a welcomed addition to my archive, related to Operation "Southern Watch" (OSW) and the ongoing operations OEF and OIF.

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

After nice holidays in Alanya, Turkey, I´m back in Germany and back to the forum.

During my absence the 354th FS "Bulldogs" started her latest OEF deployment.

Elements of the 354th FS and the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron left D-M in the morning hours on September 5. According to "KVOA Tucson", the "sendoff" included 16 A/OA-10s, which would make a first stop-over in Massachusetts (possible Barnes MAP).
Usually, USAF fighter squadrons which deploys to the CENTCOM AOR left their home bases with about two aircraft as so called "spare parts". If the requested number of really deployed aircraft is able to make the trans-Atlantic flight, the "spare parts" returns to the home base. In this case either all of the 16 or only 14 aircraft are really deployed.

Related news stories:
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/allh ... /91994.php
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3808834

Interesting news photo:
http://www.azstarnet.com/ss/2005/09/06/l91994-3.jpg
Photo by Ron Medvescek, "Arizona Daily Star". Original caption: "Maj. John Culp seems ready to go as he taxis his A-10 jet to the runway to leave Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for Southwest Asia."
Two notes from me: (1) Take a look at the well painted bulldog on the left side under the wind shield. (2) This aircraft still has the early configuration of the vents at left from the ladder door.

I asked the "Star" for permission to post this picture on this forum. Negative! The answer was: "Is this photo for your own personal use for your home page website? If so, the cost is $30.00 per photo, size 8x10, color". WHOW, that sucks! To get this photo for free, click the direct link above. Another way: Click the first link for related news stories, click "View additional images…", select the third image and click "enlarge image".

Meanwhile, the 354th EFS relieved the 74th EFS. During the transition phase, Warthogs from both units provided CAS to ground troops and shows of presence for Afghan voters during the National Assembly elections September, 18. See: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011849
According to "nbc17.com", the 74th turned over its duties to the 354th on September 20.
For some facts and figures related to the 74th EFS read the following news stories:
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php ... ry=7173837
http://www.nbc17.com/news/5000816/detai ... i&psp=news
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/my ... 698848.htm

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

You crack me up....

<b>....deploys to the CENTCOM AOR left their home bases with about two aircraft as so called "spare parts". If the requested number of really deployed aircraft is able to make the trans-Atlantic flight, the "spare parts" returns to the home base.</b>

I didn't know the AF finally admited that two jets are taken as "can" jets, gota' love those spare parts aircraft! <img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ugly But Well Hung

I said "usually", not "in all cases"! And I said: "In this case either all of the 16 or only 14 aircraft are really deployed." By the way, there are some "spare part" proofs related to F-16 deployments for OEF and OIF.

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

Boo!!! Only 16 jets. Light load this year. Shame I'm not deployable or I would've asked to go as their Comm Support.

You might be a "Bulldog" if: You bend over and grab your ankles when you hear: "EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE!"

_________________
3 Branches down... 2 to go!
Put on your tinfoil hats, the black choppers are coming, and I'm calling them in.
Former DCC OA-10A T/N 80-278

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Usually, USAF fighter squadrons which deploys to the CENTCOM AOR left their home bases with about two aircraft as so called "spare parts". If the requested number of really deployed aircraft is able to make the trans-Atlantic flight, the "spare parts" returns to the home base. In this case either all of the 16 or only 14 aircraft are really deployed.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

usmilob, after reading the links you provided I have a question for you, where did you come up with the above-mentioned quote? I personally would love to read in print where they referred to these aircraft as “Spare Parts”. I’m sorry but I find it difficult to believe that is an official term for those aircraft (BTW I do know the official term).

Additionally, I would recommend that you do more research on your own before posting to a forum where the readers are the “Subject Matter Experts”, especially if you are going to continue questioning the answers they provide. I would think you being the self-proclaimed journalist you say you are would recognize the fact that by doing so you are killing any chances (which BTW are currently slim to none) of obtaining any useful information from this community.


capche-capche da - we go forward together

Faugh ah Ballaugh -Clear The Way-

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
[quote]Usually, USAF fighter squadrons which deploys to the CENTCOM AOR left their home bases with about two aircraft as so called "spare parts". If the requested number of really deployed aircraft is able to make the trans-Atlantic flight, the "spare parts" returns to the home base. In this case either all of the 16 or only 14 aircraft are really deployed.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Is this some reference to airspares?

Usmil, why are you trying to come to a forum and educate people on stuff they already know as professionals?

I honestly don't get it........

I think I'll start going to an astrophysics forum and educate them with my google-based knowlege.


Edited by - Type 7 on Sep 27 2005 04:10 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Is this some reference to airspares?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I believe so but, because of his lack of basic knowledge about the AF and how we operate he interpreted it to mean aircraft used for spare parts.

Ugly But Well Hung

Just another news report related to the currently deployment of the 354th EFS:
http://aero-news.net/index.cfm?printabl ... ndex.cfm#d
And klick photo number three to enlarge this picture of squadron commander Lt. Col. Martha McSally.

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

I have been to Alanya Turkay and only diaper headed people take vacas there. Spare parts airplanes are what spotteres call air spares.

By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a pearage or Westminster Abbey........Nelson

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YGBSM !

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Is this some reference to airspares?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Yeah, Type 7! Meanwhile I´m sure, your term "airspares" (or "air spares" or "backups") is the right term. Thank you very much for this helpful correction! And sorry to all for my posted term "spare parts". But for a foreigner in some cases it´s not easy to document USAF OEF or OIF aircraft deployments whit the right terms and the right numbers of aircraft.

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com

After the 354th EFS from D-M relieved the 74th EFS at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, the 74th EFS and some other involved personnel of the 23rd FG returned home.

Related links:
http://www.carolinaflyer.com/101405_04.shtml
http://www.lajes.af.mil/newspaper/0041_ ... sroads.pdf
(check out page 5 for a nice photo of two A/OA-10As from the 23rd FG at Lajes and for additional infos about tanker escorts.)

Regards
J.J.

_________________
Joachim Jacob
Warthog News Editor
http://warthognews.blogspot.com