Last Pilots Graduate A-10A Course

  • Published
  • By Capt. Stacie N. Shafran
  • Chief, 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Nine Air Force pilots marked the end of a 32-year era Oct. 2 as they were the last to ever graduate the A-10A initial qualification course. From now on, students will be taught how to fly the A-10C, which has upgraded avionics and weapons delivery capabilities.

While the A-10A has undergone upgrades throughout its life with improvements to its navigational system, bombing computers, and digital countermeasures, the A-10C is the first upgrade extensive enough to generate a new model letter. These upgrades, along with the refurbishing of the A-10's wings, will contribute to sustaining the A-10 through 2028.

Over the past six months the pilots were assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, also known as the Lobos, where instructor pilots taught them the basics about flying the aircraft. This graduation culminates 215 hours of academic instruction, 52 hours of simulator training, 41 sorties and 87 hours of flight time. This was their last step in the training pipeline, following undergraduate pilot training and a fighter fundamentals course.

The 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea is currently the last A-10 unit to fly A-models. As a result, 358th Fighter Squadron instructor pilots have focused on training students strictly for assignments in South Korea. The 358th Fighter Squadron is the only training unit still flying A-models, and the only training squadron sending graduates to South Korea. Most likely, over the next two years, there will be no more A-models to fly.

"Graduating 09-CBD was a milestone for the A-10, and also a challenge in its own right. Due to the time it takes to convert an A-10 to a C, it was not possible to keep a lot of A-models on the flight line until today," explained Lt. Col. Thomas Zupancich, 358th Fighter Squadron commander. "Several weeks ago we began integrating A-models and C-models in the same flights. This meant qualified Lobo instructors were flying C-models while their students flew A-models. The challenge of instructing across platforms cannot be understated, and I'm extremely proud of the job my instructors did. Our pilots are well trained and are ready to fight the fight for America."

With training complete, each pilot is now bound for their first operational assignment and some may even see combat within a matter of months. The pilots will also cycle back here for the conversion course from Osan AB or prior to their next assignments.

"When I think about what my class and I have learned in just six short months, it's a remarkable testament to the quality of the training we've received here," said 1st Lt. Edward Brady, a 2006 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and this course's distinguished graduate. The lieutenant is looking forward to living overseas, serving as a combat aviator, and traveling throughout Asia during his next assignment.

The graduates of Class 09-CBD and their assignments are: 

Capt. Aaron Duffin - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

Capt Jason "Ramstein" Fuhrer- 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

Capt Jay "Slow pitch" Labrum- 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard

1Lt Edward "Log-jam" Brady - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1Lt James "Starlifter" Darlson - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1Lt Josh "Chuck" Jones- 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1Lt Michael "Carney" Krestyn - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1Lt Russell "Kintukee" Overton - 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard

1Lt Johnny "NEWT" Reyes - 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard