A dozen A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Moody AFB, Ga., deployed to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, as part of theater security package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve earlier this week. “Once again the Air Force has called upon the airmen of Moody to support an extremely important mission in Europe,” 23rd Wing Vice Commander Col. Mark Barrera said in a release. Approximately 300 pilots, maintainers, and support personnel deployed with the jets for the roughly six-month TSP. The 23rd WG Warthogs will replace A-10s of Air Force Reserve Command’s 422nd Fighter Wing, becoming the third rotation of A-10s to Europe in response to the increased Russian threat. The unit practiced establishing forward-area refueling points for operations from austere airfields earlier this summer in preparation for a series of in-theater exercises and cooperative training with NATO allies during the deployment, according to a release.
A legislative standoff has led to a lapse in a $4.26 billion small business innovation contracting program widely used by the Air Force and could spell the end of it entirely, industry sources warned Air & Space Forces Magazine.
