Within 72 hours of arrival, 'Warthogs' take fight to enemy Published May 9, 2007 By Capt. Ken Hall & Master Sgt. Bryan Ripple 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Within hours of standing up as a fully operational combat flying unit, the group was launching its fierce Thunderbolt IIs into battle. The A-10's distinctive nose art has been known to strike fear into enemy combatants unlucky enough to see its hungry, shark-toothed facade grinning at them. Nellis AFB's Maj. Clint "Schlager" Eichelberger was one of the Warthog drivers delivering that combat airpower. "You've accomplished your mission in the proud and professional manner that is your legacy as Tuskegee Airmen," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airmen, under whom the 438th Air Expeditionary Group fights this war from Al Asad in western Al Anbar Province in Iraq. The group activated Jan. 15, 2007, to provide close air support for Coalition Forces in the region. Looking back at history, it's well known WWII's Tuskegee Airmen were credited with more than 100 air-to-air kills while providing premier bomber escort, but had not a single "Ace" among them. The reason for that fact is less known. To have that many kills and no ace proves they were more singularly focused on the mission to protect their bombers than the personal glory of becoming an ace. Today's Tuskegee Airmen are no different, as demonstrated by the fact a number of squadron personnel had to remain home for the first rotation ... but their time will come. "I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron," said Lt. Col. Russ "Oscar" Myers, the squadron commander. "Both those at home and those deployed here have displayed true professionalism and maturity." The 74th's Flying Tigers' first major engagement was raining down fire, providing close air support fire to ground forces in the decisive Battle of An Najaf Jan. 28. After nearly 36 hours of fighting, more than 200 enemy insurgents had been killed and more than 300 gunmen captured. Overall, the 332nd AEW's F-16 Fighting Falcons and 438th AEG's A-10 Thunderbolt IIs answered the call for air support dropping more than 3.5 tons of precision munitions and expending 2,300 rounds of 20mm and 30mm cannon fire in an area of about five square miles. Since activating, the group has flown some 2,648 flying hours on 820 combat sorties providing CAS in some of the most challenging urban terrain in Iraq including Fallujah, Ramadi, Baghdad and Baquba, overcoming communications jams inherent in operations there, and remaining focused, vigilant and effective against a determined enemy. "The [An Najaf] mission was almost identical to a recent home-station training scenario," said Major Eichelberger, who participated in the battle. The major is an A-10 instructor pilot deployed from the 66th Weapons Squadron at the Air Force's famed Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev. The 'Warthog,' as the Thunderbolt IIs are commonly called, are capable of staying in the target area for a longer period of time providing CAS, the major said, but also noted, "there's a huge amount of responsibility de-conflicting where the friendlies and the targets are so we can put the right weapon on the right target at the right time and avoid collateral damage," referring to the congested, urban environment in which the squadron's pilots often find themselves engaging targets. "I'm fortunate to have gotten the unique opportunity to come over and support the group's standup," the major said. "I've been able to draw upon previous tactical experience and help my fellow flyers focus on executing safe, smart, tactical close air support." Ensuring the pilots stay qualified to fly are the squadron's aviation resource managers. "This is my first deployment, and it's nothing like I imagined it would be," said Airman 1st Class Breyon Carter, one of three SARMS in the unit. She and the other two SARMS keep track of the pilots' training, flying hours, combat missions, and help manage the unit's portion of each day's Air Tasking Order ... the document that directs every combat and combat support sortie in the entire CENTCOM area of operations each day. "I'm very nervous for the pilots when they take off," the 20-year-old Danville, Va., native said. "But when they come back from a successful sortie, I'm proud to know I've played a part in them going out there and getting the job done." Aside from their regular duties, the SARMs manage the flag program where U.S. Flags are flown on combat missions for Al Asad Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and fellow Airmen. The SARMs prepare certificates attesting to the flag's inclusion in a combat sortie before they're given to the requesting service member. "It's very rewarding to present our fellow warriors a flag that is essentially a part of history," said Colonel Myers. The Warthog pilots have become combat veterans and close-air-support experts in very short order. "I've flown about 30 combat missions," said Wichita, Kan., native 1st Lt. Chris "Harpoon" Laird. "It's a good feeling being up there, helping out the guys on the ground." The lieutenant has flown numerous 'troops-in-contact' sorties, 'overwatch' for convoys and counter-IDF missions, and shows of force. "You don't always have to fire on the enemy to find success ... sometimes it's just as effective to provide support to ground troops through information, and making the enemy run away." Lieutenant Laird was married a mere three weeks before deploying. "I can't wait to get back home to her," he said. The squadron's only female fighter pilot, 26-year-old 1st Lt. Kristin "Norris" Kleinhence, hails from Reno, Nev. She's a 2003 Air Force Academy graduate on her first deployment and has already flown more than 40 combat missions. She deployed here from the 74th Fighter Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C. "I feel my training definitely prepared me for this, and we came over here with everything we needed to do our jobs, but I've definitely learned a lot," the lieutenant said. "The best thing about our job is knowing we've helped the guys on the ground ... watching over them, sanitizing the area of the enemy ... that's a very rewarding feeling, it's what we stake our reputation on." With the addition of this squadron of A-10s, the 332nd AEW now has five primary aircraft in its composite inventory including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-130 Hercules, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, and HH-60 Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter. The addition of the 'Warthog' has increased the wing's capability in providing precision weapons and sensors employment against Anti-Iraqi Forces. Colonel Myers echoed the words of his wing commander. "It's amazing just how good these young men and women really are," he said. "The mission has been challenging ... the urban environment, the insurgency, non-combatants and ground forces in contact ... it all puts a lot of pressure on our Airmen to get it right. They've performed magnificently, and history will show that."
