Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group retrieve one of the newly assigned A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft Jan. 17 at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The unit's mission is to provide close-air support for coalition forces in the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chief Master Sgt. Bryce Maxson)
by 1st Lt. Landon Derentz
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
1/22/2007 - AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) -- A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Group landed one by one at their new home Jan. 17 here.
A formation of more than 200 Airmen assembled for the 438th AEG activation and assumption of command ceremony Jan. 15 as the unit is in the Al Anbar province to provide close-air support to coalition forces in the region.
"We feel extremely honored to support the Combined Forces Air Component commander's mission in Iraq and to be joining the proud heritage of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing -- the Tuskegee Airmen," said Col. Patrick Malackowski, the 438th AEG commander.
At Al Asad AB, the A-10s will join the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), soon to be replaced by the 2nd MAW (Forward), as the primary units operating from the base. Marine F-18 Hornets, C-130 Hercules, EA-6 Prowlers, AV-8 Harriers and several types of rotary wing aircraft are currently in use here.
With the addition of the A-10s, the 332nd AEW now has five primary aircraft in its inventory, including F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and HH-60 Pave Hawk combat-search-and-rescue helicopters. The addition of the A-10s greatly increases the wing's role in providing precision weapons and sensors employment.
The 438th AEG falls under the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq. Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the 332nd AEW commander, presided over the ceremony and welcomed the 438th AEG into the wing.
"In my opinion there are no pilots who perform close air support better than A-10 pilots," General Rand said. "The 438th Air Expeditionary Group's mission against anti-Iraqi forces will be vital in helping to secure victory in Iraq."
The A-10s are deployed from the 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Their distinctive shark teeth nose art identifies them as direct descendants of the famed World War II P-40 fighters known as the "Flying Tigers." The original shark's teeth and eyes were designed to scare enemies during battles in Burma and China.
