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FB: More Warthogs to the Middle East. Idaho Air Guard A-10s deploy to al Udeid, though they will not be joining the fight against ISIS]
More A-10s have deployed to the Middle East, though this group will not have the Islamic State in their sights.
Six A-10s and more than 120 airmen deployed to al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in early March to take part in three major exercises. The aircraft deployed from the 124th Fighter Wing at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho.
The exercises will focus on close air support training with allies in the region, according to the Air Force.
"Often the focus during these exercises is on the multi-role air frames like the F-15, F-16 or F-18; however, during these exercises, the focus will be more heavily on the A-10, allowing us to share our expertise in the area of close air support, forward air patrol, and combat search and rescue among other tactics," said Lt. Col. Anthony Brown, 190th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron detachment commander, in a release.
The Air Force did not detail the exercises, saying exact locations are not released due to host-nation sensitivities.
The Idaho Guard A-10s join Warthogs from the 163rd Fighter Squadron of the Indiana Air National Guard that deployed in November. The "Blacksnakes" of the 163rd have been active in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
