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.
With less than three weeks left before Congress’ latest continuing resolution funding the government runs out, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III sent a letter to leading lawmakers, urging them to pass a spending bill before the start of 2023. Austin sent copies of the letter Nov. 28 to the top…