Press Release
It should make for some interesting listening as they re-train. Says they were chosen because of Camp Atterbury and close by ranges.
Fort Wayne IAP, IN - A proposal in the recently approved fiscal year 2010 Program Objectives Memorandum means new airframes for the 122nd Fighter Wing in the next couple of years.
Due to the projected life-span of the F-16, as well as budget restraints, the A-10 Warthog is scheduled to replace the Wing's current Fighting Falcons.
"I am very pleased that the Fort Wayne Air Guard base is actively seeking this change to the A-10 for their flying mission," said U.S. Rep. Mark Souder. "The A-10 will play a unique role in the defense and safety duties that our brave Guardsmen perform. This change will be positive for those who are currently employed at our base and will advance the 122nd Fighter Wing as a leader in the future. This is good news for Fort Wayne and our base."
"The reason for the change," said Lt. Col. Michael D. Stohler, 163rd Fighter Squadron commander, "is that the F-16s are ending their service life earlier than anticipated, and there is not enough money to sustain them into the future."
The A-10 Warthog, on the other hand, has a much longer life span. "The benefit of the 122nd Fighter Wing receiving the A-10 is that it will fly well into the 2020 timeframe," said Col. James C. Luithly, 122nd Fighter Wing vice commander. "It covers the gap from when the F-16 is retired and when the F-35 becomes available to the Air National Guard"
If there is a gap there is potential that the Air Force may not have a mission for the 122nd Fighter Wing, said Stohler. "If there is no mission there would be a loss of jobs," said Stohler, "and in the worst case scenario, the 122nd Fighter Wing could close. The A-10s will keep us in a flying, fighting mission, well into when F-35s will be delivered to the Air National Guard and the Air Force."
Stohler also said that the A-10 aircraft is a highly capable aircraft that is highly sought after, which is why the Air Force is keeping it longer. It has been determined by the Department of Defense that the A-10 will be needed because there is no other air frame that can do that mission. There are more F-16s than A-10s, so it is more cost effective to maintain the A-10 fleet.
"Fort Wayne was chosen because we have a lot of air to ground ranges close by," said Stohler. "We also have one of the largest spin-up training centers close by at camp Atterbury. They know we are an outstanding unit and they want us to maintain a flying, fighting unit so that we can bridge that gap down the road."
"We are excited about this change," said Luithly, "because we know this mission will carry us through to the F-35. It will maintain our jobs."
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