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A look back: Civic tour furnishes community, civic leaders chance to see 188th up close

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heath Allen
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The power of community support can never be underestimated. After all, it was the might and muscle of community leaders that helped spare the 188th Fighter Wing after a decision in 2005 by the Base Realignment and Closure Committee was set to strip the unit, based in Fort Smith, Ark., of its F-16 Fighting Falcon flying mission. 

Local and even regional supporters lined the streets outside the 188th during BRAC chairman Anthony Principi's visit later that year. Principi, who was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2001-05, later admitted he'd never experienced such an outpouring of support for a National Guard unit facing such a dire predicament. 

The 188th Fighter Wing continued to offer thanks by inviting community leaders, military officials and local media to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., the site of a unit deployment in preparation for an upcoming Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotation in Afghanistan. 

The civic tour Aug. 5-6 allowed members of the community to gain incite into the 188th's new responsibilities with the A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog. 

"We have a new flying mission with the A-10 and we wanted to exhibit exactly what that new mission entails," said Col. Tom Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander. "We're preparing for war and that requires significant hours of training in conditions that can't be duplicated in Fort Smith. We wanted to allow interested members of the community the chance to see the level of work and preparation required for this tasking." 

The deployment provided the 188th with the opportunity to conduct training and gain operational experience in a mountainous, desert terrain, which closely resembles the climate and conditions in Afghanistan. 

Ten media members and 65 civic and military leaders boarded two KC-135 Stratotankers in Fort Smith, and trekked to Davis-Monthan where they able to observe an aerial refueling of the 188th's A-10s above the skies of Arizona. 

The KC-135s were furnished by the 155th Air Refueling Wing based out of Lincoln, Neb., and the 137th Air Refueling Wing stationed in Oklahoma City. 

Once on the ground the group toured the Snowbird Operations building and was given a briefing on the 188th's upcoming deployment and aircraft upgrades. The group also viewed the munitions area and the "Boneyard," where many of the military's aging aircraft are retired. 

"This event furnished the 188th a chance to let the community in on what we do," said the 188th's Capt. Matt Holguin, the project officer for the civic tour. "It gave them an opportunity to get to know many of the hard-working members of the 188th who help make this one of the best Air National Guard units." 

The media, civic and military leaders also visited the flightline, where they were given a briefing on the capabilities of the A-10 by Lt. Col. Parker Pennings and 1st Lt. B.J. Ginger, both 188th pilots. 

A mixer was also held after the day's tours were concluded and a slide show, provided by 188th Public Affairs, showcased the unit's training while in Tucson. 

"Our brief glimpse inside Operation Snowbird went much deeper than airplane rides and close-up looks at equipment," said Tracy Winchell, economic development coordinator for the City of Fort Smith. "The best part about our trip was watching dedicated 188th members perform their duties and talk about what they do. 

"Bomb makers, crewmen, pilots, and support personnel displayed not only proficiency, but also pride and passion for what they do on behalf of our nation and their brothers and in arms." 

The 188th flew 186 sorties totaling 437 hours during its deployment to Davis-Monthan from July 25-Aug. 8, working with the Arizona Air National Guard's Operation Snowbird, which is run by 162nd Fighter Wing. 

The 188th deployed approximately 300 operations, maintenance and support personnel along with 13 of the unit's 21 A-10s. 

"I've talked to several others who went on the [civic] trip," Winchell said. "We're in agreement that the 188th's professionalism inspired many of us to take a new look at our jobs and our lives. You guys just do your jobs excellently. Every person I've talked with who went to Tucson is trying to practice the same work habits. 

"Seems we're always getting more from the 188th than we could ever possibly contribute and I thank all the unit members for their service." 

The 188th's AEF rotation to Afghanistan is scheduled for spring 2010 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 188th will be the first A-10 Air Guard unit to deploy to Afghanistan. 

"We value the support of our community and civic leaders, the local media and all of our National Guard leaders from State Headquarters," Anderson said. "The civic tour was an exciting way to showcase our unit. Our unit members are entrenched in this community and it was a good way for everyone to gather in support of a common cause."

A look back: Civic tour furnishes community, civic leaders chance to see 188th up close

  • Published
  • By Capt. Heath Allen
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The power of community support can never be underestimated. After all, it was the might and muscle of community leaders that helped spare the 188th Fighter Wing after a decision in 2005 by the Base Realignment and Closure Committee was set to strip the unit, based in Fort Smith, Ark., of its F-16 Fighting Falcon flying mission. 

Local and even regional supporters lined the streets outside the 188th during BRAC chairman Anthony Principi's visit later that year. Principi, who was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2001-05, later admitted he'd never experienced such an outpouring of support for a National Guard unit facing such a dire predicament. 

The 188th Fighter Wing continued to offer thanks by inviting community leaders, military officials and local media to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., the site of a unit deployment in preparation for an upcoming Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotation in Afghanistan. 

The civic tour Aug. 5-6 allowed members of the community to gain incite into the 188th's new responsibilities with the A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog. 

"We have a new flying mission with the A-10 and we wanted to exhibit exactly what that new mission entails," said Col. Tom Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander. "We're preparing for war and that requires significant hours of training in conditions that can't be duplicated in Fort Smith. We wanted to allow interested members of the community the chance to see the level of work and preparation required for this tasking." 

The deployment provided the 188th with the opportunity to conduct training and gain operational experience in a mountainous, desert terrain, which closely resembles the climate and conditions in Afghanistan. 

Ten media members and 65 civic and military leaders boarded two KC-135 Stratotankers in Fort Smith, and trekked to Davis-Monthan where they able to observe an aerial refueling of the 188th's A-10s above the skies of Arizona. 

The KC-135s were furnished by the 155th Air Refueling Wing based out of Lincoln, Neb., and the 137th Air Refueling Wing stationed in Oklahoma City. 

Once on the ground the group toured the Snowbird Operations building and was given a briefing on the 188th's upcoming deployment and aircraft upgrades. The group also viewed the munitions area and the "Boneyard," where many of the military's aging aircraft are retired. 

"This event furnished the 188th a chance to let the community in on what we do," said the 188th's Capt. Matt Holguin, the project officer for the civic tour. "It gave them an opportunity to get to know many of the hard-working members of the 188th who help make this one of the best Air National Guard units." 

The media, civic and military leaders also visited the flightline, where they were given a briefing on the capabilities of the A-10 by Lt. Col. Parker Pennings and 1st Lt. B.J. Ginger, both 188th pilots. 

A mixer was also held after the day's tours were concluded and a slide show, provided by 188th Public Affairs, showcased the unit's training while in Tucson. 

"Our brief glimpse inside Operation Snowbird went much deeper than airplane rides and close-up looks at equipment," said Tracy Winchell, economic development coordinator for the City of Fort Smith. "The best part about our trip was watching dedicated 188th members perform their duties and talk about what they do. 

"Bomb makers, crewmen, pilots, and support personnel displayed not only proficiency, but also pride and passion for what they do on behalf of our nation and their brothers and in arms." 

The 188th flew 186 sorties totaling 437 hours during its deployment to Davis-Monthan from July 25-Aug. 8, working with the Arizona Air National Guard's Operation Snowbird, which is run by 162nd Fighter Wing. 

The 188th deployed approximately 300 operations, maintenance and support personnel along with 13 of the unit's 21 A-10s. 

"I've talked to several others who went on the [civic] trip," Winchell said. "We're in agreement that the 188th's professionalism inspired many of us to take a new look at our jobs and our lives. You guys just do your jobs excellently. Every person I've talked with who went to Tucson is trying to practice the same work habits. 

"Seems we're always getting more from the 188th than we could ever possibly contribute and I thank all the unit members for their service." 

The 188th's AEF rotation to Afghanistan is scheduled for spring 2010 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 188th will be the first A-10 Air Guard unit to deploy to Afghanistan. 

"We value the support of our community and civic leaders, the local media and all of our National Guard leaders from State Headquarters," Anderson said. "The civic tour was an exciting way to showcase our unit. Our unit members are entrenched in this community and it was a good way for everyone to gather in support of a common cause."