Some airmen who fly and maintain A-10 Warthogs at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., had just one month to get through three months of predeployment preparation and training before deploying to Bagram AB, Afghanistan. And, when they got the word their deployment had been moved up, they were in the middle of an operational readiness inspection, reports SSgt. Craig Seals. Nonetheless, the airmen got the job done and within 24 hours of landing at Bagram had their Hogs ready for action.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3