Air Force Reserve Command’s 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., came out on top of the recent “Hawgsmoke 2006” competition at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.—where A-10 pilots tested their gunnery and close air support skills. Four pilots from the 442nd’s 303rd Fighter Squadron secured the gold medal after competing against 19 other squadrons—and they did it in borrowed Warthogs. The unit’s own A-10s are being prepped for the squadron’s upcoming expeditionary rotation. Because they won the 2006 event, the 303rd will host the 2008 Hawgsmoke, either at Whiteman or in Salina, Kan., according to Lt. Col. John Hoff, the 303rd FS commander.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
