The 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., earlier this month began retiring 38 of its A-10s as it prepares to receive 41 A-10s from other units over the next few months as part of a fleet-wide shift of assets, according to base officials. “The change comes from budget cuts in Congress,” said MSgt. Mark Molineaux, 355th FW A-10 divestiture team superintendent, in the base’s April 11 release. “Congress looked at all the A-10s in the fleet and decided which ones to get rid of based on the number of hours on the plane, body condition, and flying ability,” he added. The A-10s leaving the wing began entering the base’s 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, the Air Force’s aircraft boneyard, on April 8, states the release. The first incoming A-10 arrived on April 9 from Barksdale AFB, La. A-10s will also come from Osan AB, South Korea; Spangdahlem AB, Germany; and Whiteman AFB, Mo. (Davis-Monthan report by A1C Betty R. Chevalier)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.