Military requests to cut five A-10 units
by January 30, 2012 6:14 pm 129 views
Uncertainty still surrounds the future of the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, and more information about the fate of the A-10 fighter platform increases the concern that the 188th could lose its mission.
The Air Force Times reported Monday (Jan. 30) that military planners are requesting to cut five A-10 squadrons — an active duty unit, a Reserve unit, and three Guard units. The Pentagon on Jan. 26 announced a broad plan to cut at least $487 billion from the U.S. defense budget within the next 10 years.
A source once affiliated with the 188th told The City Wire that A-10 bases at Fort Smith, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Selfridge, Mich., are most likely the Guard units on the chopping block.
“The move was part of a series of proposed budget cuts announced Jan. 26 at the Pentagon. Also on the chopping block are the C-27 and the Global Hawk Block 30; and as the ground force shrinks, the service plans to retire the oldest of its aging transport aircraft,” noted the Air Force Times article. “While the A-10 is very good at providing close-air support, the Air Force needs aircraft that can do more than one mission, Adm. James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Jan. 26 in an interview with Military Times reporters and editors.”
The source also said the 188th — part of the Arkansas National Guard — has about 14 empty pilot positions, with another five pilots expected to depart in June. The source said pilots are “like the canary in the mine,” who “can see the writing on the wall for the 188th.”
The City Wire has sought reaction from officials with the Arkansas National Guard about the Air Force Times story and the source info. The Air Guard has provided this related Q&A from Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III.
It was first announced Nov. 22 that the 188th Fighter Wing based at the Fort Smith Regional Airport may be one of the many military cuts possibly to result from Congressional failure to reach a deficit-cutting agreement.
The unit employs about 350 full-time personnel, with about 1,000 on the base once a month for training.
Concern about the 188th’s future comes four years after the unit converted from the F-16 fighter jet to the A-10 ground support aircraft. Conversion to the A-10 was the product of a last minute reversal of a decision to close the 188th. During May 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission was faced with 834 closings or realignment recommendations from the Department of Defense.