Lajes (Azores) (LPLA/TER) - 2013 MIL

[J.J.]

The A-10Cs from the 23rd Fighter Group "Flying Tigers", 23rd Wing (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia, arrived at Lajes Field, Azores, for stopover en route to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). They will replace 18 A-10Cs currently combat-deployed with the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron "Bulldogs", 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Meanwhile, Warthog News contributor João Toste from Portugal confirmed the arrival of at least some of them.

Any verified serial numbers of the Moody "Hogs" so far???

And if there also arrived "Hogs" from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, they are on their way back to CONUS due to the squadron's upcoming deactivation. Serial numbers wanted!

Special thanks to Dutchmil and Thunderbolt! Please continue to keep us informed.

[Thunderbolt]

Heading CONUS or heading Europe/Afghanistan?

Heading Europe... three of them participated on Real Thaw exercises last month in Portugal.

Currently on ground have 7 A10s from Spangdahlem and 9 A10s from Moody.

Regards

[Thunderbolt]

Today arrived 16 A10 with 3 KC10 and C17.

81-0981 / SP TREND64
82-0650 / SP TREND65
82-0646 / SP TREND63
81-0960 / SP TREND66
81-0980 / SP TREND62
82-0660 / FT TREND61
86-0032 GOLD11

78-0597 / FT TREND41
80-0194 / FT TREND42
81-0964 / FT TREND43
82-0657 / FT TREND44
83-0081 GOLD94

81-0983 / SP TREND53
80-0252 / FT TREND54
81-0990 / FT TREND55
79-0192 / FT TREND56
80-0272 / FT TREND51
81-0962 / SP TREND52
86-0035 GOLD04
01-0188 RCH293

Regards

[J.J.]

It seems like these former 81st FS "Hogs" (moved back to CONUS recently due to the squadron's upcoming deactivation) are now on their way to Afghanistan, together with some other 23rd Fighter Group "Flying Tigers" A-10Cs. Photo proofs are wanted!

[Dutchmil]

Hi,

Two more 23WG A-10s arrived at Lajes this afternoon as TREND 65 and 66.

RH.

[Thunderbolt]

Another 15 A10s DM arrived yesterday at Lajes.

[Thunderbolt]

Hi,

Currently at Lajes are 18 A10C with tail codes DM, FT and SP.
Tomorrow I'll try to made a post with all serials of A10 and tankers.

[Dutchmil]

Hi,

MAZDA 11, 21 and 31 flight all arrived at Westover this evening.

RH.

[Thunderbolt]

April 6th

78-0706/DM Mazda11 flight
82-0662/DM
80-0147/DM
81-0947/DM
79-0196/DM

78-0650/DM Mazda21 flight
80-0212/DM
78-0670/DM
80-0210/DM
79-0198/DM

79-0167/DM Mazda31 flight
80-0187/DM
81-0997/DM
80-0203/DM
82-0648/DM
86-0032 KC10 Blue61
95-0107 C17 RCH287

83-0082 KC10 RCH385 Arrived from States

Blue41 and 51 diverted to LERT due strong winds at Lajes.

[Thunderbolt]

April 7th

83-0081 KC10 Blue41
86-0035 KC10 Blue51

80-0275/SP Trend65 flight
79-0207/FT
60-0342 KC135 Gold90

165831 CNV4585 dep

[Thunderbolt]

April 8th

A10s departed to States (Westover)

78-0706/DM Mazda11 flight
82-0662/DM
80-0147/DM
81-0947/DM
79-0198/DM
83-0081 KC10 Blue41

78-0650/DM Mazda21 flight
80-0212/DM
78-0670/DM
80-0210/DM
79-0196/DM
86-0035 KC10 Blue51

79-0167/DM Mazda31 flight
80-0187/DM
81-0997/DM
80-0203/DM
82-0648/DM
86-0032 KC10 Blue61
95-0107 C17 RCH287

165350/RU C130 CNV3725

[sdamico]

An F-16 delivery flight of four departed from Fort Worth/KNFW this morning (Thu 11 Apr) around 1200Z/0700L, possibly heading to Lajes/LPLA. Tanker is shown on Mode-S as Blue31 (KC-10A 87-0124, 305AMW). Tanker was around Cape Cod area by 1500Z.

[Thunderbolt]

An F-16 delivery flight of four departed from Fort Worth/KNFW this morning (Thu 11 Apr) around 1200Z/0700L, possibly heading to Lajes/LPLA. Tanker is shown on Mode-S as Blue31 (KC-10A 87-0124, 305AMW). Tanker was around Cape Cod area by 1500Z.

Yes, They've arrived at Lajes this afternoon as RETRO91 flight. Were 4 Egyptians F16s and 1 F16 Greek.
Supported by KC10 BLUE31.

9752 F16C EgyptAF RETRO91
9754 F16C EgyptAF RETRO92
9755 F16C EgyptAF RETRO93
1045 F16C GreeceAF RETRO95
9821 F16D EgyptAF RETRO94
87-0124 KC10 USAF BLUE31

165313/JW C130 USN CNV3867

[J.J.]

Many thanks for your latest A-10C stopover info, guys. @Thunderbolt: "81-0947" as part of MAZDA11 flight should be just a typo, correct serial number is 81-0974. Question: Was there really an exchange of 79-0196 and 79-0198 between MAZDA11 and MAZDA12 flights from April 6 (arrival) to April 8 (departure)? BTW: So far, only 15 of the originally deployed 18 354th EFS "Hogs" passed Lajes back to CONUS. Still awaited are the following three: 79-0178, 80-0169 and 80-0197. It seems like they will remain at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, before the 17th and 18th 74th EFS "Hogs" arrive. So far, the 74th EFS only deployed 16 "Hogs" instead of 18 as usual since years. According to this thread, these delayed jets arrived at Lajes April 7. Please note: A-10C 80-0275 from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, left "Spang" and arrived at Lajes Field, Azores, for stopover en route to Continental United States (CONUS) October 10, 2012.

[J.J.]

According to official 455th AEW Public Affairs news info, the three remaining 354th EFS "Hogs" (79-0178, 80-0169 and 80-0197) left Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 14, 2013. Please await them for stopover at Lajes en route back to CONUS. Question: When did 79-0207/FT and 80-0275/SP leave Lajes as the last two "Hogs" of the 74th EFS en route to Bagram?