The “End of an Era”
In 2005, the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) recommended the closure of JRB NAS Willow Grove, PA along with the decommissioning of the 103rd FS/111th FW, PA ANG. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell successfully challenged the DoD to save the 103rd FS/111th FW (comprising about 1,000 men and women mostly from the Philadelphia area), sans their flying mission.
The 103rd FS/111th FW, currently Pennsylvania’s only fighter wing, has a rich history dating from 1924. The wing began at the Philadelphia [International] Airport as the Army’s 103rd Observation Squadron. The 111th FW component draws its roots from the 1943 establishment of the 391st Bomb Group. In 1946 the 391st was given over to the Air National Guard. Over 86 years, the 111th FW has flown twenty-eight different type aircraft, culminating with the A-10 Warthog which they received in 1986. Twenty-five percent of their historic flight hours have been in the A-10.
On Sunday June 6, 2010 the unit’s members, their family and friends, the media and distinguished guests were invited to witness the wing’s last flying training mission. The day began by honoring the unit’s members who have deployed overseas and their families with a “Salute to Hometown Heroes” and Awards Ceremony. In a show of support, Pennsylvania’s other two Air National Guard flying units, the 193rd Air Special Operations Wing from Middletown (EC-130) and the 171st Air Refueling Wing from Pittsburgh (KC-135), each had one of their aircraft on hand.
Several hours later came the “End of an Era” last flight. After hearing heartfelt speeches by the State’s Deputy Adjutant General, General of the PA ANG and President of the ANG Association, a diamond formation of A-10s flew low over the ramp where the invited crowd was assembled. The four “UGLY Flight“ jets were flown by the guard’s current commanders; Col. Howard “Chip” Eissler, Col. Jim “Chicken Man” Blaydon, Lt. Col. Bill “Griff” Griffin, and Lt. Col. Scott “Spartacus ” Hreso. The flight represented the four pilots “Fini Flight”; their final training mission in the A-10.
After landing, the planes taxied toward the crowd passing under water cannon spray from the guard’s firefighting trucks. The exuberant crowd then surged forward to welcome their heroes with rousing cheers and applause. Upon exiting their aircraft, the four pilots were doused with champagne from their respective ground crews and awarded “Fini Flight” ribbons. An American flag, flown on the flight, was presented to the unit’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Anthony J. Carrelli. The “Fini Flight” pilots then reported to Col. Carrelli, “Mission Complete!”
The day concluded with Col. Carrelli calling former 103rd and 111th commanders to the stage. The Colonel then made an emotional speech recalling his eleven years with the unit, emphasizing the dedication of the squadron members and a strong feeling of family unity. Carrelli also recognized those family members on hand of the four pilots and one crew chief that had lost their lives during the twenty-four year tenure of the unit while flying the A-10. Their names are memorialized on the side of a retired A-10 that has been given over to the DVHAA museum (located at Willow Grove) for permanent display.
While the aircraft are leaving, the people are not. The 103rd is moving on to its new phase as The Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron. About eighty-five percent of the unit’s personnel will find jobs with the 103rd‘s new mission. The Red Horse Civil Engineering Squadron will remain at Willow Grove as part of the military enclave. The last five remaining A-10 aircraft will be redistributed to other Air National Guard units.
Daniel O. Myers Photo Credits: Howard German
dan@domyers.com