Europe
A-10 Warthogs to be deployed a 2nd time in Europe
Stars and Stripes
September 18, 2015
An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over Germany in 2010. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The Warthogs are on their way to Europe again, U.S. military officials announced late Friday.
Twelve A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and about 300 airmen from the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., will deploy to bases across Europe as a Theater Security Package, the second such deployment of A-10s to Europe since February, U.S. European Command said in a statement.
The deployment is in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the U.S. effort to demonstrate its commitment to the collective security of Europe and NATO in the wake of Russia’s aggressive acts in Ukraine.
The planes are expected to depart this weekend. The bases to which the A-10s will deploy won’t be announced until after their arrival.
“As the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, these A-10s will conduct training alongside our NATO allies and European partners to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe,” EUCOM said.
In February, A-10s from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., deployed to Europe as part of the first Theater Security Package to the Continent. The aircraft completed their deployment in early August, when they returned stateside.