1/24/2015 - SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- About 200 Airmen and 10 aircraft from the 127th Wing here deployed to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 23 to participate in Operation Snowbird.
Operation Snowbird allows military flying units to take advantage of the optimal weather conditions and live-fire ranges available in southern Arizona during the winter months when home station training may be hampered by inclement weather such as snow and ice.
The men and women from various units of the 127th Wing support, operate and maintain the Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft mission.
By deploying to Arizona, Selfridge Airmen also have an opportunity to train and work together in a high-tempo environment. The 107th Fighter Squadron Airmen from the 127th Wing will have more opportunities for sorties during the two-week deployment, almost doubling the number of flights performed each day at Selfridge. The Michigan Air National Guard unit's focus will be on search and recovery training with local rescue squadrons stationed at Davis-Monthan.
"Training at Davis-Monthan in Snowbird is like a srimmage before playing in the big game," Lt. Col. Shawn Holtz, 107th Fighter Squadron commander. "Everybody gets a chance to sharpen their skills and build up the team."
The A-10, originally designed for close air support, provides an ideal platform to provide support to rescue operations in potential close proximity to opposition ground forces. The A-10 can also provide airborne command and control support to rescue operations, as well as serve in air interdiction and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacities.
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