Last A-10 Sortie In USAFE

Tuesday marked the last operational sortie of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in Europe. The three ship sortie was flown by the 81st FS out of Spangdahlem AB Germany and was flown over Fulda. The old cold warriors out there will remember this is why the A-10 was built and deployed to USAFE, to defend against a Warsaw Pact armoured thrust through the Fulda Gap.

Initial deployment of the A-10 to USAFE was in 1979 to the 81st FW at the twin base's at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge in the U.K. The A-10 would eventually equip six squadrons and operated not only in England but also from  four forward operating locations  Sembach, Leipheim, Alhorn and Norvenich Air Bases in West Germany.

The last remaining A-10's will depart Germany on Friday bound for Moody AFB, GA ending 34 years of A-10 operation in USAFE.

Photo USAF Tsgt Jonathan Pomeroy

A-10 at Woodbridge in the early 80's