From Staff Reports
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BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE – The 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air Force Base will complete the transfer of its A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft to other units the morning of June 24.
“The 917th Fighter Group proudly served our nation at Barksdale and deployed locations for over 50 years. It has been an honor to be a part of Team Barksdale and the local community,” said Col. John Breazeale, Commander of the 917th Fighter Group.
The last three A-10s assigned to the 917th Fighter Group, 47th Fighter Squadron will leave for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
A pre-reception for distinguished guests and former crew chiefs will begin in the A-10 Hangar at 9 a.m., with a brief ceremony on the ramp at 10 a.m. just prior to the aircraft departures.
The first of the official transfers of the 24 A-10s began in April.
The final three transfers will be aircraft, 79-0153, piloted by Col. Breazeale, 79-0154, piloted by Major Mark Wendrock, and 79-0146, piloted by Capt. Taylor Petty, both from the 47th Fighter Squadron.
Of the total 24 aircraft, two A-10s transferred to (AMARG), five to the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and 17 to the 355th Fighter Wing, at Davis-Monthan AFB.
In addition to the loss of aircraft, the recent Force Structure Action Implementation Plan inactivates the 917 FG and the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale which will take place the end of September. This closing will take approximately 580 full and part time jobs from Barksdale.
