Photo By Senior Airman Sabrina Fuller-Judd | A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing speaks with members of the...... read more read more
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JODHPUR AIR FORCE STATION, India — An aircraft piloted by forest green suited aviators fueled its legacy of fierceness and fire - we call it the A-10 Thunderbolt II. They are recognized for their unique mission; providing close air support to those on the ground, which emboldens a shared iconic mindset for those a part of the 25th Fighter Squadron and 25th Fighter Generation Squadron.
These values of integrity, service, and excellence flourish amidst the Tarang Shakti 24 exercise, which is led by the Indian Air Force, and includes 28 international partners like the 25th FS and 25th FGS.
This is the first iteration of Tarang Shakti, allowing the squadron the opportunity to share and learn from various partners at Jodhpur Air Force Station, India.
“This exercise is unique, in that we get an opportunity to train with the Indian Air Force, and other participating nation’s aircraft, like the Su-30, Rafale, Mirage 2000, and others,” said Lt. Col. Justin Davis, 25th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander and Deployed Forces Commander in India. “Very few Air Force pilots get the chance to fly alongside these particular types of aircraft or the pilots that fly them, so this training we do here is very rewarding and the partnership we’re building with other squadrons from multiple nations is very valuable.”
During the exercise, Davis took flight with Group Capt. Uttar Kumar, IAF 4th Squadron commanding officer, sharing the skies and their excitement for Tarang Shakti.
“We share a rich history between both the 25th FS and the 4th Squadron by the year of their birth,” said Kumar, responsible for the 4th Squadron, which remains the oldest squadron in the IAF. “Our compatibility of practice, thought process and aerospace safety concerns are similar and shows, going forward, that our Air Forces not just IAF or U.S. but all Air Forces in this exercise can learn a lot from each other to enhance our capabilities.”
The A-10’s virtues are embodied by those who maintain and fly the iconic aircraft; building upon their experiences alongside Allies from the perspective of the A-10.
“My dad would tell me stories of being protected by the A-10 while under fire, during his service in the Marine Corps.,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colby Jansen, 25th FGS avionics technician. He expressed his joy in sharing his experiences with IAF members, while creating memorable stories of his own while in India.
The 25th FS and 25th FGS, affectionately named the Assam Draggins, know that the connections built here are ones that the crews behind the aircraft can carry forward in their Air Force career and into their unit’s culture.
The A-10’s memorable twin turbo engines support the aircraft in taking flight. Similarly, the 25th FS and 25th FGS support each other, and help improve the unyielding strategic partnership with the IAF; fueling one another’s resolve for regional security and stability.
“Our pilots bring an experience and dedication to close air support and ground attack that is unmatched,” said Davis. “Likewise, other units from other nations bring unique capabilities and their own experience and dedication to their specialty mission. We learn from each other, make each other better and build a stronger relationship in the process.”
The effects of the A-10’s participation in this exercise will Tarang, “meaning to ripple”. The aircrew and pilots resolution to TS24 Phase II will ripple to various career fields and flying concepts, fortifying the purpose of which the A-10 has served; to deter and defend for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2024 13:12 |
| Story ID: | 480563 |
| Location: | JODHPUR AIR FORCE STATION, RAJASTHAN, IN |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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