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November 15, 2008
Air Support Unites Airmen, Soldiers in Afghanistan
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers Sgt. Mervin Hengst (left) and Staff Sgt. Donald Zerbe (right) learn about the A-10 Thunderbolt II from Capt. Robert Burdette during a recent visit to Bagram Air Field's fighter squadrons. Members from the F-15E 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and A-10 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron hosted the visit after the Soldiers had expressed a desire to personally thank pilots who provide close-air support for troops on the ground while engaged in fire fights with enemy forces.
Pennsylvania National Guard Spc. Jeffery Cragle stands next to the 30mm cannon on a A-10 Thunderbolt II during visit by the National Guard Soldiers to the 391st and 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's. Members from the squadrons hosted the Soldiers after they expressed a desire to thank pilots who provide close-air support for ground troops engaged in firefights with the enemy forces.
Capt. Bill Johnson, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, talks with Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers Spc. Jeffery Cragel and Staff Sgt. Donald Zerbe during a recent visit to Bagram's fighter squadrons. Members from the F-15E and A-10 squadrons hosted the visit after the Soldiers had expressed a desire to personally thank pilots who provide close-air support for ground forces while engaged in fire-fights with enemy forces in Afghanistan.
Air Support Unites Airmen, Soldiers in Afghanistan
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
U.S. Air Forces Central News Team
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan
When a Soldier goes into the field, danger is ever present. And when a Soldier comes under fire from the enemy, there's nothing they're more grateful for than the roar of a coalition aircraft screaming overhead putting lead down on the bad guys.
Soldiers deployed here from the Pennsylvania National Guard Bravo Company 3rd/103 Mechanized Infantry fought their way out of more than 55 firefights in 4.5 months. In those life and death situations, pilots of A-10 II Thunderbolts and F-15E Strike Eagles were high overhead to respond to their calls for close-air support.
Members from the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group arranged for the Soldiers, now assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, to meet Airmen responsible for close-air support missions and take a tour of the Bagram flightline to see the aircraft up close.
"We don't get to do that as much as we would like to," said Capt. Dylan Thorpe, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot and former F-15 weapon system operator. "We just talk to them on the radio. It is awesome that they came by."
As Army Specialist Kevin King, a native of Bellefont, Pa., climbed the ladder to peer into an A-10 cockpit, he couldn't help but smile.
"It ain't often you get to be this close," he said. "I have never been this close to a jet."
Even though the pilots and weapon system operators showcasing their aircraft weren't the Airmen who fended off the Soldier's enemies, the two groups spent a great deal of time comparing their battlefield perspectives.
"When we were hunkering down getting hit from every side, we thought for sure we were dead," said Army Specialist Don McGill, a native of Kingston, Pa. "But, as soon as you guys come over head [the enemy] is gone. Without air support, we couldn't have done a lot of things we did."
For the Air Force officers, this opportunity provided a chance to put faces with voices they typically only hear on a radio.
"This was a humbling experience," said Air Force Capt. Scott Crowell, 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-15 pilot. "Talking with these guys makes me understand how valuable our training is and helps me appreciate the danger they face when they are outside the wire on a daily basis. It makes me proud to see they are interested in talking to us."
Captain Crowell, deployed from Mountain Home, Idaho, was not the only one who appreciated the efforts of their sister servicemembers.
"When we hear the jets take off, the sound never gets old," Specialist King said. "When you're in a bad situation and you hear the A-10 whistle by, it is just a relief ... it takes a lot of pressure off your chest."
To Captain Thorpe, being able to stop the enemy so the Soldiers can return home is what his job is all about.
"When I go out there, it really boils down to getting a guy home to his family," said Captain Thorpe, deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "They come first - we really live that. We are here to serve the ground guys, that is what we do everyday."
These Airmen may not have been the same who provided protection for the Soldiers from above, but that didn't stop the Soldiers from sharing their appreciation.
"It is nice to get to meet the people who are out there to support us, especially since we were in all of our firefights," Specialist King said. "I appreciate being able to thank them for basically being out there to save our lives. Thanks for being there and helping us out whenever we need help and being there when ever we call."
Specialist King was not the only one with words of thanks to share.
"Thank you. Thank you for being there. Thank you for your support," Specialist McGill said to the pilots. "There were numerous times we were under fire, and it brings a whole new outlook on life. I will go home, and I will appreciate life a lot more."
Posted by Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 03:48 AM
Comments
GOD BLESS the "Go ugly early A-10 Thunderbolt Warthogs" WT! I became a MAN on The Grand Strand at Myrtle Beach AFB from 1978-1980... Now my old SPangdahlem AB mission has the A-10's... I'm getting older Team Theodore! We have 'em stationed nearby in Maryland too and when they fly over us I wave the SC Palmetto State flag at 'em and they wave their wings. SOUNDS OF FREEDOM.
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at November 15, 2008 09:05 AM
The A10 is a great ground support aircraft. The Air Force almost retired them just before Desert Storm.
It is great for grunts to get together with air support flyers and compare notes and appreciatons.
Posted by: TomR at November 15, 2008 12:14 PM
Specialist King said. "When you're in a bad situation and you hear the A-10 whistle by, it is just a relief ... it takes a lot of pressure off your chest." King couldn't have said it better!!!
God bless those air support crews, being up North I remember all too well feeding a duster and waiting for what seemed like forever for Da Nang to send send up their AC130, the sound of Puff talking to our Northern friends out front on the ground sure was reassuring. They were profoundly successful. They are awesome, just wish that Warthog had been around years sooner. Thank you and your fellow crewmen Darth. Thank you all in close air support.
Posted by: Jack at November 15, 2008 12:36 PM
As I looked at the pictures of these brave warriors and read their story I can't help but remember what our President and CIC-elect and over 60 million voters who voted for him think of our troops in Afghanistan.
Obama: troops just airraiding villages and killing civilians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrW4fOGIMVY
Obama's Youtube Arrogance Just Became A Nightmare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sj91NH5fvw&feature=related
Posted by: Les at November 15, 2008 03:26 PM
My closest friends daughter is in Afghanistan right now. I've known her since she was born. They were shelled the other week but she's ok. Her dad is a Vietnam Vet: sniper and tunnel rat.
Posted by: BobF at November 15, 2008 06:00 PM
Darth, big smile...I like that.
"Go ugly early A-10 Thunderbolt Warthogs"
Thanks for sharing about it, and no you are not older then Team Theodore. giggle
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 08:10 PM
Tom, I agree, I love seeing them all get together like this. Memories they will always have too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 08:13 PM
Jack, that is a great quote, thank you Jack.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 08:14 PM
Les, you make a good point. It will be a compleltely different atmosphere for sure. Many, heck most not liking it one bit. But not able to do anything about it. I heard from a Marine that wrote me when Clinton was President and he had to salute Clinton, he did not like it one bit. But Clinton was never aware of it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 08:17 PM
BobF, I am so glad she is OK. thank you Bob for sharing that about her and your friend too. Please let her know and your friend how much serving our country means to all of us.
One time when I was thanking a Nam vet he told me it was the first time anyone had ever thanked him. I was so shocked and saddened to hear that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 15, 2008 08:20 PM
