Getting ready to fly

LAJES FIELD, AZORES-- A maintainer from the 23rd Maintenance Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., stands near an A-10C Thunderbolt II. The 23rd MXG recently sent members from three squadrons here to help get the Warthogs en route to a deployed location combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo/Contributed)(RELEASED)

Nose of a Warthog

LAJES FIELD, AZORES-- An A-10C Thunderbolt II from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., rests on the flightline after being worked on by Airmen from the 23rd Maintenance Group. The maintainers recently received a short-notice tasking and quickly arrived here to help get Warthogs on the way downrange combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo/Contributed)(RELEASED)

Working as a team

LAJES FIELD, AZORES-- Maintainers from the 23rd Maintenance Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., were recently sent here to help get A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from their base combat-ready. Without the Airmen’s speedy response and turnaround, it might have been longer until the aircraft was ready to be sent downrange. (U.S. Air Force photo/Contributed)(RELEASED)

Moody maintainers get en route Warthogs combat-ready at Lajes

Published March 14, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When Airmen from the 23rd Maintenance Group got word that some of Moody's A-10C Thunderbolt IIs on the way downrange needed support en route, they spent the next 72 hours preparing.

Airmen from various squadrons within the group were at Lajes Field, Azores, only days after the request came through and quickly got to work on the infamous "Warthogs" that provide vital close-air support in deployed locations.

"The scheduled support team couldn't land at Lajes because of ongoing runway construction," said Chief Master Sgt. Howard McCrary, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "Our squadron worked with other units to get more than 20 Airmen and their support equipment in the air as quickly as we could."

Those other units include the 347th Rescue Group, who provided an HC-130P Combat King for transport, and the 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron and 23rd Component Maintenance Squadron. The 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit was especially involved with generating the needed support.

"If we weren't able to provide that support, our aircraft wouldn't be able to get downrange and do the mission they're being sent there for," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Savoy, 23rd AMXS lead production superintendent. "It's because of these outstanding Airmen from all different specialties that we were able to accomplish this. The work is on their backs."

Sergeant Savoy has also been on many other short-notice maintenance trips, including some to Lajes. Although he's experienced the local culture in previous trips, there wasn't been time to do that during this trip.

"Our team there is working feverishly to get these aircraft combat-ready," said Chief McCrary. "From Lajes, the aircraft have another stop before completing their trip downrange."

Once there, each Warthog will provide essential support on the front lines. The aircraft is known for its excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.