In Europe, the A-10 is attracting media to the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath, England, and winning high praise at the same time the cynics in Pima County, Arizona, home of Davis Monthan use the goodwill the A-10 to sell a controversial bond measure.
According to an article by Senior Airman Nigel Sandridge of the 48th Fighter Wing, “Pilots and maintenance members received an opportunity to trade knowledge and train in a contrasting climate for support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, while local media outlets were able to take photos and speak with the visiting crew.”
“The A-10’s are here in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve,” said Capt. Jessica Wyble, 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot. “We’re reassuring our allies of our commitment to NATO.”
Sandridge reported that media members drove in from all over the country, some commuting up to 220 miles just to witness the sight of A-10’s on RAF Lakenheath.
“The opportunity to see the A-10’s fly is amazing,” said Lawrence Clift, Sideways media photographer. “I remember seeing them fly as a kid, so I brought my son, so he could experience it.”
“Today’s experience was fantastic,” said James Ronayne, Aviation News assistant editor. “Being so close to such an iconic aircraft, like the A-10, is not an opportunity you get every day.”
In April, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve placing 7 bond propositions before voters Nov. 3. District 1 Supervisor Ally Miller voted no. Combined, the propositions total $815 million.
Voters will be asked to allot $5 million in the bond package for the purchase of land within the Davis-Monthan boundaries.
According to Huckelberry, “…. there are 99 acres of private property inside the boundary of DMAFB that are leased on an annual basis to the USAF. In addition, there are approximately 133 acres of State Trust land within the boundary of DMAFB. The annual cost of these leases to the USAF exceeds $380,000. Both of these properties should be purchased and leased at no cost to DMAFB to continue their operations.”
Those properties are part of AMARC, otherwise known as the “bone yard.” The bone yard has seen a steady decline in new aircraft this past year. In fact, according to sources, the bone yard has lost planes to other storage units in the country.
Some of those lands proposed for purchase by Pima County fall outside the Distance Arch Map provided to the ADI, by the base civil engineer. The Distance Arch is used as a justification for the purchase. In fact, the Air Force’s leases on the 99 acres of private property expire in 2016. Until then, the properties sit vacant surrounded by Federal. State, and City of Tucson property. The properties are nestled between the shrinking “boneyard” on the Davis-Monthan side of the chain link fence, and homeless camps on the other side.
Related article:
Pima County to use Arizona Military Installation funds to buy open space