Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., is in the process of upgrading its Active Duty A-10C with new lightweight airborne recovery systems. The LARS V-12 will provides GPS coordinates of troops on the ground, and improves communication with those forces through voice or text, said SSgt. Andre Gonzalez, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, in a Jan. 6 release. “This urgent operational need arose in August [2016],” said Timothy Gray, the 309th AMARG acting director. “Air Combat Command and the A-10 Program Office asked me if AMARG could complete 16 aircraft by [Dec. 16]. I said, ‘Absolutely!’ It was awesome to see Team AMARG take on this massive logistical challenge, build a production machine, find facilities, manpower, equipment, tools, and make material kits [to] execute the requirement.” So far, 19 Warhogs from Davis-Monthan and Moody AFB, Ga., have been upgraded, states the release.
The war in Ukraine isn’t likely to end soon, because Russia is gaining ground, making more munitions, and getting more help from China, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers May 2.