An A-10 suffered catastrophic engine failure during a mission over Iraq and had to divert to an Iraqi Air Force base, the service announced this week.
The aircraft, An A-10 deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, suffered engine failure in its No. 1 number one engine during flight. The problem was non-combat related, but the aircraft had to divert to Al Asad Air Base near Ramadi, a city that which has been the site a sight of heavy fighting between Iraqi forces and the Islamic State group.
A nine-member team went to the base in Iraq from the nearby, unnamed base where the Warthogs are deployed. The jet stayed on the ground for days while the team identified damage and put together a list of parts that were needed, according to an Air Forces Central Command news release of the incident.
"This was a very important mission," said Col. Michael Stohler, 332nd Air Expeditionary Group commander, in the release. "The aircraft was in a location that was not fully secure, and we needed it repaired and flown out of there as quickly as possible. It was the deputy combined forces air component commander's No. 1 number one priority."
Daily airlift missions by Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft brought the parts. The team had to improvise with a lack of equipment at the base, such as a lack of vehicles to move the jet into a hangar for maintenance.
"We used a medium tactical vehicle replacement 7-ton, all-wheel drive, 6x6 truck to get it to the hangar," Chief Master Sgt. Richard Stroh, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group team lead, said in the release. "We tried to back it in using the truck … no joy. We tried to use a large marine fork lift to push it in … no joy. In the end, 12 Airmen and two Marines pushed the 40,000 pound aircraft 70 yards uphill into the hangar."
The maintenance took five days before the jet was able to take off and return to its original base. The Warthog was deployed from the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard.
"This fix required removing and replacing multiple major components on the aircraft that are normally not done," Stohler said. "It was accomplished in hot weather at a base with minimal support structure. The maintenance personnel slept 16 in a tent. There were no shower facilities. They worked long hours with minimal equipment to rebuild this aircraft, test it, and then fly it out. "
The Air Force did not say when the mishap occurred. The Al Asad Air Base in February was attacked by 20 to 25 Islamic State fighters, who were fought back by Iraqi forces. At the time, about 400 U.S. troops were stationed at the base.
