A-10s Bring Fight To The Enemy In Afghanistan
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 from Arizona's Davis-Monthan Air Base, to
Bagram Air Base at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains, 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 Afghan national parliament in history on Dec. 19, we are
continuing to make a footprint on the world around us."
Sources within the Air Force tell Aero-News the Bulldogs have
succeeded in defeating enemy combatants because of their detailed
integration with coalition ground forces.
"Throughout this AEF rotation, we’ve integrated with
conventional and special ops battlefield warfighters to seek out
and destroy remaining pockets of Taliban, terrorist and
anti-coalition militia," Colonel McSally said. "This integration
has helped save hundreds of U. S. and coalition lives and ensured a
safe and successful election process."
Since their deployment, the Bulldogs have flown more than 1,700
combat sorties, totaling more than 6,000 combat hours, and fired
more than 20,000 rounds of 30 mm bullets.
"(The) 30 mm (cannon) is the weapon of choice for A-10 pilots in
providing pinpoint accuracy against the enemy with 'friendlies' or
civilians unharmed sometimes less than 100 meters away," the
colonel said.
The pilots have also
used laser-guided bombs, airburst freefall bombs and high-explosive
rockets to demolish enemy forces. On more than 100 occasions, A-10
pilots worked with friendly forces in direct contact with the
enemy.
"Our pilots have had to integrate with forces on the ground to
neutralize the targets," the colonel said. "It takes a great deal
of skill and judgment to swiftly identify friendly and enemy
positions in a very fluid fight and deliver ordnance in such close
proximity to the friendlies."
Close air support isn’t the only thing the A-10s provide.
The Bulldogs have also been first on scene at several coalition
helicopters crashes. Pilots provided cover to deter hostile forces
and, sometimes, immediate firepower for those needing a more
compelling effort to defeat their hostile action.
"Uniquely trained to take on the role of rescue mission
commander, the A-10s have deconflicted all supporting assets,
provided command and control in very dynamic situations," Colonel
McSally said. "We then coordinated for rescue/medevac, provided
lethal coverage overhead against the threat, and escorted rescue
assets to safety, saving dozens of U.S. and coalition
lives.
The colonel said the A-10 pilots have also provided escort and
presence for movement of friendly convoys, helicopters and cargo
aircraft, which sometimes carry high-level Afghan and U.S. leaders,
or vital earthquake relief into Pakistan.
Capt. Jay Annis, another A-10 pilot, said he takes pride in what
he’s doing to support the ongoing global war on
terrorism.
"I’ve been given the skills and confidence necessary to
perform our A-10 mission in combat," said Captain Annis, who is
from Chanhassen, MN. "I’m proud to be able to provide my
piece of the puzzle -- taking the heat off of our brothers who are
taking the fight to the enemy on the ground."
Colonel McSally said her Airmen should be proud of their
accomplishments. "We’ve set a new aerospace standard in
unforgiving conditions," she said. "A truly amazing precedent has
been set. And each and every Bulldog should be proud of a job well
done."
(Aero-News salutes Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald, 455th Air
Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs)