An A-10 Thunderbolt II takes off from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., July 12, 2011, on a training mission flown by the 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard. The 127th Wing at Selfridge recently passed a major milestone when the Wing’s A-10s were declared Initial Operating Capable in late June. Typically, a wing spends three years in the formal conversion process from one aircraft to another before reaching IOC status. The 127th Wing began converting to the A-10 in early 2009 and declared IOC status after 2.5 years. Previously, the wing’s fighter squadron had flown F-16 Falcon aircraft. “The men and women of the 127th Maintenance Group and the 127th Operations Group have done a marvelous job rising to the challenge and the milestone we passed on June 30 proves they have what it takes to operated this weapon system, should they be called to the fight,” said Col. Gregory S. Holzhei, 127th Maintenance Group commander. The A-10, also known as the Warthog, is the Air Force’s primary air-to-ground attack aircraft. In addition to the A-10, the 127th Wing also flies the KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueler, at Selfridge. (USAF photo by John Swanson)