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Michigan Airmen Engage at Green Flag-East

By Tech. Sgt. Dan Heaton, 127th Wing Public Affairs / Published September 17, 2014

The 127th Wing prepares to launch A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., to participate in Operation Northern Strike 2014. Operation Northern Strike demonstrates the Army and Air National Guard’s ability to plan and conduct complex, joint operations. Air and ground forces will work together in real time to provide an unprecedented mix of forces and weaponry regardless of service or country. Twenty-four units from 12 States and two Coalition partners will participate in the three-week event. Over 300 Total Force fighter, bomber, mobility, and rotary sorties are planned in support of live fire exercises in order to meet stated objectives for participating units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Terry L. Atwell)
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Airmen and 10 aircraft from Selfridge departed this week for the training centered at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. Green Flag is the second major exercise for A-10-related Airmen from Selfridge in as many months. The aircraft and Airmen spent much of August supporting Operation Northern Strike, a major National Guard Bureau led exercise based in northern Michigan. Shown here, the 127th Wing prepares to launch A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., on Aug. 6, to participate in Operation Northern Strike 2014.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Terry L. Atwell)

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SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- On any job, knowing how to speak the lingo is critical. With that in mind, about 150 Michigan Airmen will spend the next two weeks brushing up on their "Army-ese."

The Airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard Base are participating in Green Flag-East, the U.S. military's most intense air-to-ground combat training exercise. The Michigan Airmen engaged in the exercise fly and support the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

The Airmen and 10 aircraft from Selfridge departed this week for the training centered at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.

Green Flag East is one of two U.S. locations in charge of training and continuing the development of simulated combat operations to employ close air support and hone communication between air and ground forces. Green Flag-East has integrated Air Force and Army assets in its training scenario since the exercise's inception several years ago. Throughout the exercise Selfridge A-10 pilots and support personnel will be flying live-fire missions while coordinating targets with Army personnel on the ground. During the mission, Soldiers on the ground communicate where and when air support is needed, which is then provided by the Air Force assets.

Green Flag is the second major exercise for A-10-related Airmen from Selfridge in as many months. The aircraft and Airmen spent much of August supporting Operation Northern Strike, a major National Guard Bureau led exercise based in northern Michigan.

"Each of these exercises provides a different point of emphasis, allowing our Airmen to train in a variety of scenarios," said Lt. Col. Shawn Holtz, commander of the 107th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge. "By participating in these exercises, our Michigan Airmen gain a breadth of skills and experiences to ensure they are ready to go when the next forward deployment comes, no matter when or where it is."

In addition to the 107th Fighter Squadron, also supporting the exercise from Michigan are Air National Guard personnel from the 127th Maintenance Group and the 127th Operations Group, both of which are based at Selfridge.

About the 127th Wing
Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operation Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 97th year of continuous military air operations in 2014.