Arctic A-10 End of an Era
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Capt. Dale Stark (Right), Lt. Col. Kevin Blanchard (Middle), Capt. Sean Hall (Left), all of the 355th Fighter Squadron, step to their A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft prior to their final departure Aug. 15. The 355th FS has deployed twice to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM within the past three years. In 2004, the unit deployed for approximately six months, flew more than 2,000 combat sorties and logged more than 7,500 flying hours. During their last deployment to Bagram AB in 2006, which lasted for four months, the unit flew more than 1,500 combat sorties and 5,000 hours in the skies over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)(Released)