Historical A-10s stop at Lajes

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Eighteen A-10 Thunderbolts from the 75th Fighter Squadron landed and stayed overnight here recently, making it the largest A-10 contingent to transit to the Central Command area of responsiblilty via Lajes this year.

The 75th FS is part of the famous Flying Tigers, which was a unit that comprised of the American Volunteer Group from the World War II. The squadron, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., received recognition on Feb. 24, 2009, when the A-10 Thunderbolt unit surpassed 10,000 combat flight hours in a single deployment rotation.

"It is a great honor to recover this unit with its rich fighting history," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Morin, transient alert coronet liaison. "Providing services for aircraft units at Lajes Field has given me a new insight of what units are doing around the Air Force and helps me to see the big picture."

The A-10s parked on the ramp and Airmen from the 65th Operation Support Squadron not only serviced the aircraft , but they also greeted the crews and held a burger burn on the A-10 crew's behalf.

"It is always an awesome experience to come to Lajes because we are treated as if we are being welcomed home," said Lt. Col. Derek Oaks, 75th FS commander, d.
"Lajes Air Base is one of the best (remain overnight) stays."

The transient alert members process about 90 aircraft a month and are a vital contributor to the operation of Lajes Field airpower support.

This deployment marks the unit's second six-month tour with a 50 percent increase of aircraft in the theater since Sept. 11, 2001.