Reserve A-10 unit takes flight at Moody

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Two Reserve pilots from the 442nd Fighter Wing, Detachment 1, recently took
flight in a 23rd Fighter Group A-10 Thunderbolt II for the first time in support of the base's Total Force Integration initiative.

TFI, which was established at Moody in September 2007, is an Air Force-wide initiative designed to integrate Reservists, National Guardsmen, and civilians with active duty Airmen in order to more efficiently complete the mission.

Moody's reservists operate under their own command structure and report to
the 442nd FW, an Air Force Reserve A-10 unit at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Nellis AFB, Nev., Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and Holloman AFB, N.M., are also currently participating in the TFI effort.

"This was the first time we were able to fly the A-10C since completing conversion training," said Lt. Col. Mickey Moore, 442nd FW, Det. 1 director of operations. "We are getting back into the flying business so that our pilots will be re-familiarized with the aircraft."

The recent flights marked a return to flying operations for the unit after a transitional period where the initial cadre focused on building the groundwork for the new reserve organization.

Capt. LaRue Russell, 442nd FW, Det. 1 director of training, was the first pilot to fly an integrated sortie here at Moody. His sortie was launched by another Reservist, A-10C Crew Chief Senior Airman Tracey Robson.

"It was very enjoyable to fly the C-model A-10 again," said Captain Russell. "The biggest challenges were remembering the things I learned about flying the A-10C and knocking the rust off."

The unit will continue to train and build on its experiences with the A-10C, said Col. Greg Eckfeld, commander of Det. 1, 442nd FW.

"We want to build a cadre of experience, both pilot and maintenance professionals," he said. "Our pilots are expected to continuously train and instruct Moody pilots."

The pilots will fly at least six to nine times a month, fully integrating into the active duty flight schedules.

"We have a different flying hour program," said Lt. Colonel Moore. "Our schedule does not take time away from the active duty flying program."

On top of fully integrating the pilots into the active duty flying schedule, the unit will be bring approximately 200 additional maintainers to Moody's flight line.

"We're very motivated to be successful and help support the Flying Tigers mission," said Colonel Eckfeld. "The integration has been smooth, and the next step is waiting for the other Reserve maintainers and pilots to arrive."