A former North Carolina-based A-10 force has deployed for the first time with their upgraded C model Warthogs from their new home base in Georgia. The 75th Fighter Squadron, formerly at Pope Air Force Base, deployed from Moody Air Force Base to Afghanistan earlier this month. Along with the pilots, maintainers from various 23rd Wing maintenance units deployed as well to support the A-10C aircraft. “The deployment is a validation of the A-10C’s new precision engagement weapon system,” said Maj. Kevin Davidson, 23rd Fighter Group director of staff. The unit received the first upgraded aircraft in September 2007. (Moody report by A1C Frances Locquiao)
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft will be operational in the late 2020s, several years before the Next-Generation Air Dominance family of systems, Air Force officials told the House Armed Services tactical aviation panel. The CCAs will first be “shooters,” then electronic warfare platforms, then sensors, in that order, they added.