Spangdahlem A-10 flies into history

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Shannon Collins
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  One of the 52nd Fighter Wing’s A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew into history July 22, becoming the first A-10 in U.S. Forces in Europe and the sixth A-10 in the Air Force to achieve 10,000 flying hours.

Col. Scott West, 52nd FW vice commander, had the honor of flying tail number 952 as it achieved 10,000 hours of flight time.

“(One of) the reasons this A-10 reached 10,000 hours is because of the superb work of the maintenance professionals who worked on it from the time it was delivered to the Air Force in 1982 at Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England, until it flew its 10,000th hour,” said the colonel. “Flying 10,000 hours in a fighter is significant, and says a lot about the 20 or so dedicated crew chiefs and the many other maintainers who have taken care of it, as well as all of our aircraft.”

And, it’s not just a large milestone for the aircraft itself, but also for the members who maintained the fighter, said Tech. Sgt. Steven Pierik, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief.

“It’s a big milestone for the A-10, so I’m glad I could be a part of it; it’s exciting,” said Sergeant Pierik, who has been maintaining A-10s for seven years. “You put a lot of work into the aircraft, so to see it go that far, it makes you feel pretty good.”

This sentiment is not only true of the current personnel maintaining tail number 952, but also applies to troops who have worked on the aircraft previously.

“When I saw it hit 10,000 hours, it touched me; it’s kind of like your baby,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Stewart, currently assigned as quality assurance for the 52nd Maintenance Group and was a former dedicated crew chief for the aircraft during Operation Enduring Freedom. “I may no longer be the DCC, but I’ll still keep tabs on it.”

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. They are effective, survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

“The A-10 has served the Air Force well,” said Colonel West. “In the past, it’s sometimes been considered a niche airplane we no longer need, but the Thunderbolt II has repeatedly proven itself well suited for the requirements of combat.

About 3,000 of the hours racked up by tail number 952 have been combat, having been flown in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Northern Watch and Allied Force.

“I find it ironic that the oldest person flying in this squadron is flying its oldest jet, but I’m not using a walker yet and certainly tail number 952 is a long way from its walker, as are the rest of the A-10s in the fleet,” said the colonel. “They’ve got a lot of life left, and the Air Force is putting a lot of resources toward sustaining them. They are a great operational asset to the Air Force and the Department of Defense.”