188th deploys; Commander talks about unit uncertainty

The first round of 188th Fighter Wing members deploying to Afghanistan also comes at a time of much uncertainty among the about 1,000 unit members about the future of the unit’s mission.

According to a statement form the 188th Fighter Wing, about 75 Airmen with the 188th Maintenance Group departed Fort Smith on Thursday (Mar. 29) for Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The airmen, deployed approximately six months, are part of an Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotation, which the 188th is sharing with the Baltimore-based 175th Wing.

The 188th will support missions that include close-in-support of troops on the ground, “overfly” of deploying troops, “show of force” actions and search and rescue, noted Col. Tom Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, in an interview with The City Wire.

A second round of 188th members will deploy in early July as part of the official flying mission of the 188th. A total of 400 188th members will deploy, with all expected to return in October.

"We appreciate the sacrifice and dedication that our Airmen make and also the sacrifices made by those loved ones left behind. We're confident they will make their wing, families and communities proud. We anxiously await their safe return,” Anderson, who is not going on the deployment, said in a statement.

MISSION CHANGE
In The City Wire interview, Anderson acknowledged uncertainty surrounding planned changes to the Air Force budget and equipment structure. He said unit members are “hungry for information” about what’s next for the unit and their respective military careers.

Overall, the Air Force proposed reductions of 3,900 active-duty, 5,100 Air National Guard and 900 Air Force Reserve positions.

Broad cuts in U.S. defense spending include the removal of the 20 A-10 Thunderbolt fighter plans from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith. The loss of the fighter mission is scheduled to be replaced with the unmanned Predator drone. The drones and intelligence specialists needed to analyze drone-driven data would not be based in Fort Smith.

Community officials and former 188th officials were concerned the lack of planes would result in deep job losses. The 188th now has about 1,000 personnel attached to the unit, with a little more than 300 in a full-time status. Initial estimates were that the full-time numbers could fall to around 55 with the new mission.

However, the Air Force changes 188th authorized personnel from 972 in fiscal year 2011 to 802 in fiscal year 2013 — far fewer job cuts than previously estimated by local officials.

Although considered slim, there is a chance a revised plan could see a return of F-16’s to the 188th.

MEMBER ISSUES
E-mails and calls to The City Wire from 188th members have suggested serious morale problems among unit members and a lack of pilots to fly the 18 active A-10s. The problems result from members being concerned that they may be deployed during a time that critical decisions about the unit would require them to work toward moving to another unit or job. If deployed, that would be difficult to accomplish.

Anderson said he understands the concern but denied serious morale problems exist in the unit. He also said “there is no shortfall” of pilots. Anderson said he has worked more to “make the rounds” among members.

“I tell them (supervisors with the unit) I need help with that,” Anderson said of keeping members focused on the mission, adding that he “calls on that professionalism” among the supervisors to maintain focus.

Anderson also said the unit has third- and fourth-generation members who aren’t shy about asking officers questions about the unit and its future.

“We are like a big family. … People here are more likely to visit about issues than in that (active duty) unit,” Anderson explained.

Anderson will soon leave the family. Anderson, who has been a member of the 188th since 1987, will relinquish command of the 188th to Col. Mark Anderson during a change of command ceremony scheduled for April 14.

DEPLOYMENT HISTORY, BACKGROUND
This is the second AEF deployment for the 188th as a unit since receiving A-10s April 14, 2007. The 188th's last AEF rotation transpired in 2010 when the unit deployed approximately 300 Airmen and 10 A-10Cs to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

“While the 188th prepares year-round for its mission, it has conducted an intense training regimen in the past six months in preparation for its AEF rotation. The 188th deployed approximately 300 operations, maintenance and support personnel along with multiple A-10Cs to participate in Operation Snowbird at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 11-26, 2012,” noted the 188th statement issued Thursday.

Training in Arizona allowed 188th members and pilots to work in a mountainous, desert terrain which resembles the conditions in Afghanistan.