The first of a planned 50 A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft destined for Moody AFB, Ga., flew into its new home Aug. 7. The Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, has been leading the modernization of the service’s Warthog fleet. Moody has gained an A-10 unit—the 23rd Fighter Group—from Pope AFB, N.C. and is picking up additional aircraft from Alaska, all courtesy of BRAC 2005. Moody expects to have all 50 upgraded Hogs by spring 2008.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.