Seven A-10 Warthogs arrived at Barksdale AFB, La., on Tuesday as part of Air Force Reserve Command’s plan to advance the move of A-10s from New Orleans to their new home with the 917th Wing at Barksdale, near Shreveport. The Shreveport Times reports that pilots traded in their old patches for the “Terrible Termite” patches of the 47th Fighter Squadron upon arrival. (The New Orleans A-10 airmen had only returned to their old home port in December after weathering Hurricane Katrina at Barksdale.) The move— part of BRAC 2005—permanently assigns nine A-10s and more than 60 personnel to Barksdale.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
