188th future one step closer with last A-10 training mission in the books

by Maj. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing

5/18/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The 188th Fighter Wing moved one step closer to its future when it conducted its final Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft training mission May 16 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Lt. Col. Marty Dahlem, 188th Operations Support Squadron commander, and Maj. Doug Davis, 188th Detachment 1 commander, flew a basic surface attack training mission that consisted of tactical surface attack proficiency training at Razorback Range.

This mission marks the end of daily manned flying at the 188th.

"This is another historical milestone in the rigorous process of a mission conversion," said Col. Mark W. Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander. "While we're certainly excited about our future, it's the moments like these that make the reality of it all set in. We've made some astounding accomplishments in this aircraft in a very short period of time, including our wing's two largest-ever combat deployments. This is certainly a bittersweet day. We're going to miss flying over the best military community in the world."

Dahlem, who has flown more than 2,100 hours in both the Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and A-10 at the 188th, echoed Anderson's sentiments.

"I've been flying fighters for almost half my life and I'm definitely going to miss it," Dahlem said. "I'm going to miss flying over Arkansas and seeing it through the cockpit canopy for sure."

It isn't just the local training that Dahlem will miss. He said he will also miss supporting group troops in contact with enemy forces. He deployed in 2005 to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and twice to Afghanistan in 2010 to Bagram Air Base and in 2012 to Kandahar Air Base in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dahlem recalled working with a joint terminal attack controller on the ground during a troops-in-contact incident while deployed. He called it one of the most rewarding experiences of his career.

"When we first checked in with the guy, his group was in the middle of a fire fight and I could tell by the urgency in his voice he wasn't sure if he was going to live or die," Dahlem said. "Within minutes, our flight had quite possibly changed the lives of our troops on the ground. The number one priority is to protect the troops on the ground and we were able to do that. The rewarding part was witnessing years of training that we do right here in Arkansas coming full circle on the battlefield."

Davis, who registered nearly 600 hours in the F-16C and more than 1,150 hours in the A-10 in his 11 years as a fighter pilot, agreed. Davis deployed alongside Dahlem in Balad, Kandahar and Bagram.

"Just about every pilot here at the 188th has a story to tell about how they were involved in saving lives on the ground," Davis said. "It's the best part of what we do. There are a lot of things I'm going to miss about being in the cockpit and most of all; I'm going to miss helping our troops on the ground get back home safely to the families. The training that we do right here in Fort Smith makes all that possible."

The 188th is currently converting from a fighter mission to a remotely piloted aircraft, space-focused targeting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. The 188th has divested approximately two A-10s per month since the first two departed Sept. 10, 2013.

The 188th currently has three A-10s remaining on station. The next A-10 to depart the 188th is tentatively scheduled for May 29. Tail Number 638 will depart Ebbing ANG Base for its new home at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The final two A-10s are slated for a June 7 departure. Anderson and Col. Brian Burger, 188th Operations Group commander, will fly the last two Warthogs out of Fort Smith.