Pennsylvania federal and state lawmakers have requested a delay in the shift of the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft of the Air National Guard’s 111th Fighter Wing at Willow Grove, reports the Associated Press (via Examiner). According to BRAC 2005, the unit is to divest itself of its Hogs and planned to begin the process this spring. The unit ostensibly made its last deployment with the A-10s last fall. The state has been working to turn the base into a new joint facility for homeland security and emergency preparedness operations, however now, AP reports, they are taking a fresh run at the Air Force to find a mission for the 111th FW.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…