Idaho Hogs Hit the Sandbox

Idaho Air National Guard A-10Cs deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, this week to fly a trio of international exercises in the Persian Gulf region, US Air Forces Central Command announced. Six aircraft and roughly 120 pilots, maintainers, and support personnel from Gowen Field ANGB near Boise, formed the 190th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which arrived over the last two weeks, according to a March 6 unit release. “We look forward to the opportunity to train with our joint and coalition partners in the region,” 190th EFS detachment commander Lt. Col. Anthony Brown said. “During these exercises, the focus will be more heavily on the A-10 … in the area of close air support, forward air patrol, and combat search and rescue, among other tactics,” he added. AFCENT officials stressed the 190th EFS deployment is a non-combat commitment to relieve pressure on in-theater units engaged in Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.