Four U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt jets have deployed to Slovakia

May 22, 2015 Russia, Troubled Areas
David Cenciotti

A-10s continue their tour of eastern Europe.

Four A-10 Thunderbolt II jets and approximately 40 airmen from the U.S. Air Force Theater Security Package, deployed to Sliac Air Base, Slovakia, May 16, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

The contingent of the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have taken part to a joint training with the Slovakian air force whose aim was to improve interoperability in allied air operations and multinational close-air-support operations.

According to U.S. Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa commander: “The U.S. Air Force’s forward presence in Europe, augmented by a rotational force like the TSP, allows us to work with our allies to develop and improve ready air forces capable of maintaining regional security.”

The 354th EFS is currently deployed to Campia Turzii, Romania, but takes part in “micro deployments” across eastern Europe to reassure local NATO allies and show them the U.S. commitment: since they started their six-month tour of duty in Europe, the 12 TSP “Warthog” attack planes from the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, have been stationed in Germany, UK, Poland, Romania, and Estonia.

During their stay in Slovakia, the A-10 worked with the Slovakian air force L-39s in joint close air support training with JTACs (joint terminal attack controllers).

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

 

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David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

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6 Comments

  2. Slovak Air Force L-29s are history since, if I remember well, 2003. The jet trainers to participate are definitelly one generation newer L-39 Albatros. An interesting info is Slovak Transport Authority issued an Aviation Circular with two new temporary restricted areas established in vicinity of Nitra town, where there is the only Slovak anti aircraft brigade located. Logically these jets train their tactic against SA-6 and SA-10 systems.

      • You´re welcome. Slovakian L-29s were all decomissioned in the same time the Military Aviation Academy in Kosice was closed. That facility was inherited after Czechoslovakia split up and appeared too large for so small country. A-10s in your article trained in Slovakia for 5 days, including simulated fights with MiGs-29 and would proceed their trip to Poland.

  3. During their stay in Slovakia, the A-10 worked with the Slovakian air force L-29s in joint close air support training with JTACs

    Really? Not L-39ZAM? I don’t think that Slovak Air Force still uses L-29.

  4. The A-10 should be in Israel to help destroy the ISIS not in Europe for mere PR work. Let’s not blame the troops only the current administration.

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