Newest A-10 Pilots Graduate Course, Bound for First Operational Assignment

  • Published
  • By Capt. Stacie N. Shafran
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Marking the first milestone in their careers as A-10 pilots, 12 Air Force pilots graduated from the initial A-10 qualification course here April 11.

Over the past six months the pilots were assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, where instructor pilots taught them the basics about flying the aircraft. This was their last step in the training pipeline, following undergraduate pilot training and a fighter fundamentals course.

With training complete, each pilot is now bound for their first operational assignment and future combat deployments.

"Many of our graduates will be in combat in a matter of months, not years, and I dare say, most will have seen combat operations within two years," said Lt. Col. Darren Hansen, 358th Fighter Squadron commander. "They are all well prepared to take on these challenges. They have worked extremely hard, are fiercely dedicated and committed to the task of protecting this country's sons and daughters."

This graduation culminates 215 hours of academic instruction, 52 hours of simulator training, 41 sorties and 87 hours of flight time.

"The training was difficult, which is what I expected and our instructors definitely held us to the fighter squadron standard," said 1st Lt. Al "Juice" Chang, a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. "Now that I'm done, it's amazing to realize what our instructors taught us in such a short time and what we're capable of doing now."

Lieutenant Chang, who is of Korean descent, will be stationed with the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. Originally from Naperville, Ill., he is looking forward to living in Korea. "It makes me proud to know I'm going abroad to serve as a member of our Armed Forces, representing our military to the people of Korea."

The graduates of Class 08-ABD and their assignments are:

Maj. James Hawkes - 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard

Capt. Adam Fisher - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

Capt. Benjamin Rhoades - 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard

Capt. Chad Rogers - 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.

1st Lt. Ryan Brown - 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard

1st Lt. Al Chang - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1st Lt. Paul Doran - 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB

1st Lt Brent Fleming - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1st Lt. Lorenzo Harris - 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB

1st Lt. Ken Lancaster - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

1st Lt. Patrick Parrish - 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

1st Lt. Ryan Young - 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea