Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Campbell, who flew the Warthog in Afghanistan, told reporters Monday at AFA’s Washington conference that the upgraded A-10C should start carrying Joint Direct Attack Munitions this fall and get the Wind-Corrected Munition Dispenser sometime next year. And, USAF plans to test fire a Hellfire missile from an A-10C in Fiscal 2007, to address a capability gap between the A-10s’ guns and its 500-pound munitions arsenal. Campbell, who is leading the ANG conversion to the A-10C, said that by next spring the Guard should have its first one to two A-10C squadrons operational. He believes the A-10C-equipped units could deploy in fall 2007.
The Air Force is conducting a detailed investigation of environmental hazards at ICBM bases as part of its broad study of cancer risks at the facilities. There is an improved understanding of the environment and factors that can affect the issue, as well as better technology and “access both to…