K.C. Hawgs return to Bagram

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Air Force Reserve Command's 303rd Fighter Squadron, from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., will once again make their mark in history as the newly arrived A-10 Thunderbolt II flying squadron here.

The K.C. Hawgs are serving their first six-month rotation at Bagram and their fifth Afghanistan tour.

"This [rotation] is longer than our normal deployments for the Reserves, so that was kind of a challenge for the squadron," said Lt. Col. John Marks, 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations.

Although the squadron is not deployed for their typical duration in theater, their mission will remain the same.

"This is some of the guys' first deployment...and it's very rewarding for me to lead them," said Marks. "I am very proud to be with the unit and support the mission."

According to Marks, the unit's actions and past history shows what they are capable of accomplishing.

The squadron has a long history of responding to and supporting combat operations. Their first mission to Afghanistan in 2002 consisted of two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with operations and maintenance crews.

In 2006 they set an Air Force record for bullets fired and bombs dropped as the unit supported three U.S. and coalition offensives in Afghanistan. And, in 2008 and 2012 the squadron once again supported a rotation here with close air support and forward-air-control capabilities.

"There is a lot of history in this squadron, from Iraq all the way to Afghanistan," said Major Mark Loranger, 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron assistant director of training operations. "It is the third rotation here [Bagram] so a lot of guys have done this over and over again, but for a lot of us it's our first time... we lean on the experienced to help us out with what we need to get the job done."

Throughout their six-month tour the flying squadron will continue to scan the airspace, defend the region and provide close air support for ground troops throughout all of Afghanistan.