WT Forums

This is it! The 118th FS will soon fly Learjets.

Air Guard Base Gets Reprieve And Change

Military Facility Eventually Changing From A-10 Fighters To Cargo
Planes

By LARRY SMITH
Courant Staff Writer

July 27 2006

The state has reached a deal with the federal government that will keep
planes operating at the Air National Guard's 103rd Fighter Wing at
Bradley
International Airport.

The 15 A-10 Warthog attack jets will be removed and replaced by eight
C-21
cargo planes, starting as early as September, preserving a flying
mission at
the base, which is in East Granby next to Bradley, officials said.

"Team Connecticut has scored another victory," Gov. M. Jodi Rell said
Wednesday.

Rell said she has given verbal approval for the agreement and Attorney
General Richard Blumenthal will work on the details of the memorandum.

"This plan seals the deal, if you will, in beating the Pentagon and
Washington," Rell said.

For the past year, the state has been fighting a recommendation of the
Base
Closure and Realignment Commission and the Department of Defense to
close
the base and move the A-10s to a base in Massachusetts. The closure
would
have left Connecticut as the only state without an Air Force flying
mission.

"The bottom line is as commander in chief, I said `no you can't take
our
state guard without my approval,'" Rell said.

Connecticut filed suit in federal court to block the move. The state
will
withdraw the suit but reserve the right to re-file if the federal
government
violates the agreement, Blumenthal said.

"We are leaving nothing to chance," Blumenthal said.

The C-21 is the military version of the Lear Jet 35A business jet,
according
to the U.S. Air Force's Air Force Link website. It can be used as a
cargo
jet or passenger airlift.

Blumenthal said the planes serve the state's needs because they can aid
in
surveillance, security and national disaster efforts in Connecticut.

Maj. Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin said the planes will act as a bridge
mission
between the A-10s and yet to be designed joint cargo aircraft that the
U.S.
Air Force promised in June. The transition from the A-10s to the C-21s
will
take place over two years, he said.

The C-21's are more viable for the base until the new cargo planes are
assigned in 2013 or 2014, Martin said. The future of military aviation
seems
to be fewer manned fighter jets, and cargo aircraft has a better
outlook.

The agreement will retain the more than 400 jobs at the base and anyone
who
was employed there in May 2005 when the closure was announced can stay,
Martin said. The current pilots of the A-10s can stay and learn to fly
the
cargo jets or seek assignments in other states to continue flying the
Warthogs, he added.

If there is a "hiccup" in getting the new joint cargo plane in 2013 or
2014,
the agreement will ensure that another flying mission will be found for
the
base, Martin said.

There is also a plan for the creation of a centralized maintenance
facility
for TF34 engines, which would be removed from A-10 aircraft elsewhere
in the
region and shipped to Connecticut.

State Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, said he is pleased with the
announcement.

"Certainly, this is wonderful news not only for Windsor Locks, but for
the
entire state of Connecticut," Kissel said in a statement.

<img src=newicons/icon_hog.gif border=0 align=middle>

Yeah you beat the Pentagon! I have the deed to the Brooklyn Bridge. You got Lear Jets lady, thats hardley a victory. It just gives your guys a couple of years to find jobs elsewhere.

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

_________________
YGBSM !

They have started drawing down already by sending jets here to be turned into "C" models, and then they will be flown to Nellis to support testing, never to return home again.

Visit my A-10 website at
http://www.warthogpen.com

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The current pilots of the A-10s can stay and learn to fly
the
cargo jets or seek assignments in other states to continue flying the
Warthogs, he added.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I'm sure the Hog drivers are really eager to get their hands on a Lear Jet<img src=newicons/Whatever_anim.gif border=0 align=middle>

PILOTS WILL HAVE TO GET USE TO THIS:

PAX service:
"Major we have 4 SPACE "A" pax's can you take them?'

Major :
"Sure why not"
CrewChief lOADS PAX and "SHOVES THE BAGGAGE IN" 2 USAF and 2 NAVY PAX loaded

CrewChief :
"Ok Major PAX READY and Briefed"
Crew Chief goes out does normal start 1 start 2 etc........
Crew Chief:"DOOR LOCKED AND SECURED"

Major to LT next to him in Cockpit:
"We're 15mins late already We have to POUR IT ON!!!!"
LT:Yes Sir!

Hit cursing alt 20,000ft

MAJOR:
"Hey Chief, Get me a cup of Coffee."
CrewChief passes Coffee to Major and LT also then the PAX all want some
Crew Chief passes out Box Nasty's from FLEET SERVICE

MAJOR:
"My Box Nasty is a #1 and I wanted a #2 Chief want to trade?"

Crew Chief: with his mouth full of COLD FRIED CHICKEN:
"SOrrY sIRRR,I (munch,chomp)eatting already"

Crew Chief to Pilot:
"Major,someone just BLEW CHUNKS all over the back,how long until we land?""
MAJOR :
"SOB!WHO DID IT??????"!

CrewChief:
"The Squid, and then they all basically followed but in BARF BAGS"

Major
"Chief ,can you do something about the mess and smell when we land, we dont want the Genral getting a WIFF of this SH#t"?

Chrew Chief :
"Oh I dont know Major? I brought along some Carpet cleaner and Glad airfreshener. Have Fleet service meet us at the Spot when we land with a Vac and Towels"

LAND AT TERMINAL with Squid covered in BRAF(^%&^%^&%^&%^&$%^$%^$%#$%#)

Major to CrewChief:" Chief need anything from the Terminal?"

"Sir if you could get me a Soda and a Bag of Peanut M&M's please"

CrewChief to Fleet Guy :
"Damn SQUID, just knew it was going to happen when he turned Green"!
FLEET SERVICE:
"HOLY SH^$"! 6 BRAF BAGS! General is going to love this"

2 HOURS LATER

Major: "Ok he's already 2 hours late,Where the Hell is he???"

FINALLY HE shows-up 2 and halfhours late with half the Base it Seems:::

2 STAR Comes to board the JET:
Major and Crew Chief Salute the General:

"Good Afternoon Sir Welcome aboard"

General: "Thanks Major Lets get going I'm late "

CREW CHIEF TO THE Staff not going:

"OK need to CLEAR THE AREA, we're ready to roll"

AND AS ALWAYS dont get the message

CREWCHIEF to the 2LT and a couple of others:
"Sorry Ma'am you have to move farther over, when the Jet Turns it'll Hit you"!

2LT:
"Chief where do you want us than"!

CrewChief:
"LT ,if you can move over to here and line up you can Salute him as he Taxi's by and clear the wing"

PEONS move to the YELLOW LINE that say's "CAUTION HOT JET EXHUAST!"

Major is briefing General and PAX as the CrewChief does his thing.

MAJOR:
"LETS GO CHIEF!

CREWCHIEF:
"OK SIR LET THEM GO! CLEAR!"
CrewChief does his thing again
#1 start #2 start etc.........
CREWCHIEF TO THE MAJOR:
"Door Locked and Secured we're ready"!

MAJOR TO LT:
"Lets GO! "

TOWER:
"Clear to taxi hold short for Heavy on Final" "Ok 495 clear for take-off Winds 5 with Gust to 10 out of the NW" Have a Good Flight"

MAJOR:
"Roger Tower you do the same"
MAJOR TO LT:
"like I'm going to have a good day 21/2 hours late"

CLIMB OUT TO 15,000FT

CREWCHIEF to the GENERAL:
Coffe Sir:"?

GENERAL to CrewChief:
"Yes Chief with Sugar, and tell the MAJOR it smells like a
"FRENCH WHORE HOUSE" back here"!"That is pretty Bad"

CrewChief goes up to the Pilot:

"MAJOR GENERAL told me to tell you it smells like a "F-ing French Whore House " back there"

MAJOR: "What did you spray back there CHIEF"????

CREW CHIEF LOOKING AT THE CAN
"DAMN! I used that "Power Room Fresh" instead of "Pine Forrest"------

A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF the

"Teeney Weeney Airlines Taxi service"<img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

But hey it beats the street>
I see HOG DRIVERS LINING UP

Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

Don't believe everything you read guys. They're drawing down 3 hogs to support PE, everything else stays in place for the time being.

OC

Some days it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>There is also a plan for the creation of a centralized maintenance facility for TF34 engines, which would be removed from A-10 aircraft elsewhere in the region and shipped to Connecticut. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

<img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>I thought according to BRAC, Moody was picking up the TF-34 Queen Bee Mission from Shaw?

capche-capche da - we go forward together

Faugh ah Ballaugh -Clear The Way-

_________________


Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

No as far as we know Bradley has the CERF mission.

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

_________________
YGBSM !

Bradley will be doing TF-34 CERF for the Guard, Moody for the Air Force.

OC

Some days it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I'm sure the Hog drivers are really eager to get their hands on a Lear Jet<img src=newicons/Whatever_anim.gif border=0 align=middle><hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
lololol. I thought the exact same thing when I read that.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Bradley will be doing TF-34 CERF for the Guard, Moody for the Air Force.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
I understood it the same as you, Hitler. This way seems very....hmmm, what the word I'm looking for???... inefficient?

Assault is a type of behavior, not a type of rifle.

SgtGoose......you have an over-active imagination!.......Great scenario though<img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

BB,

Sir that would be

"SgtGoose......you have an over-active imagination!.......Great scenario though"

If it wasnt TRUE,

Feb 10th 1984, Yokota to Osan - Osan to Yokota T-39 60-3490 it was CINIC PACAF's jet but was doing regular runs that day and Our Only White on Grey T-39.
4476 was gone and since I had no jet I got to make the next "SHOPPING TRIP" VIP run. I had to wear my "Dress Blues" during these trips.
I screwed-up typing in 495 down below ,495 was at Scott AFB and the CINIC MAC's Jet

The General was over there looking over the Plans for TEAM SPIRT 84.
That was how I had it wrote down except, Folks Saluting on the Line,
When the JET turned They all found out what "CAUTION HOT JET EXHUAST"
Meant.
We all had trips where someone got sick,or I got sick,or EVERYONE GOT SICK.
I wasnt on the T-39 FLIGHT THANK-GOD! Morgan the CINIC PAC's CREWCHIEF was when a Certain "4 STAR"threw-up all over the back when they were hitting Turbalance, the crew was trying to Skirt a TYPHOON.
I guess that was "BAD!"
Us DCC had to buy our own , Cleaning stuff, out of PRIDE and because " OPERATIONS" would fight with "BASEFLT" over who pays for the Stuff.
So you brought your own .

But I always try and write down the "GREAT MOMENTS" in TWA history.
It made me THANKFUL EVERYDAY DAY that I was on the HOG!

Goose




I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

It sure makes a lot of sense to put the ANG engine shop at Bradley and then move all the TF-34 customers out of New England...

The Hogs are leaving, trust me. Too bad, the AF is losing a tremendous amount of combat A-10 experience with the closing of Barnes and Bradley. Combine that with the closure of Willow Grove and the move of Battle Creek, we are losing over 50% of our experience. What a stupid move.

Coach

How many slots are going to go to Ark. Ft Smith?Or Slots for Moody?

Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

Ft Smith is a state-run Guard unit, so they determine who gets hired. Right now, it doesn't look like they are hiring a lot of Hog experience.

When I say we are losing combat experience, that also applies to the maintenance world as well, Barnes and Bradley have some of our most experienced expeditionary Airmen and they are going to be drifting away.

Coach

I just cant see them looseing that kind of experiance,but look at 92-93 they did it then and turn around a couple of years later ,they want you back!

I guess If your not going to Drive F-15's or be a TAXI Driver on C-21's than you either move or get out thats what SUCKS!

The USAF needs to take a GOOD LOOK around before they start loosing you guys.
Just like BattleCreek and the other units.


I know alot of EX-Hog pilots are driving Cargo now or Tankers, and I dont know how Civilain Airlines are doing,thats Mudds question to answer.

Its a LOSS. <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bs.gif border=0 align=middle>

Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

I just did a quick looky for "Pilots" on TAOLINE and this is what i found.

http://taonline.careercast.com/js.php?view=1&lookid=taonline&tmpId=&q=pilot&qMatch=all&qField=All&qSort=smart&qCity=&qState=&qCountry=United+States&qMiles=&qcompid=&qInd=&qWorkTypes=Full+Time&qstaff=&qDate=&pp=20&fromSearch.x=42&fromSearch.y=8

Not flying hogs but something.

Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

Ok I'm Bored this morning,I looked-up the 188th FW at Fort Smith,
Maintance you got it made if you want to move.
But why do they need F-117A tech's? They have sOME??

Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

The Warthogs are getting out more and more. But why are they still testing the C version? And wich wings/squadrons are going to fly in the near future with that version?
It is sadly to read that Bradley goes to C-21<img src=newicons/madani.gif border=0 align=middle>

Salute Dutchy
------------------------
Termites do it in the dark!
(47FS Barksdale afb)

_________________
73-1664

Bradley wont be loosing all their jets until 2009.

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

_________________
YGBSM !

http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123025083.

Mack sent me this morning


Goose

I know now for a FACT that Truth is Stranger than Fiction and IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORST!

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"