Home»Andrew Thomas»2007 Airshows / Events»"Warthog Day", Forth Smith, AR, 4/14/2007

April 14th 2007 marked the end of an era at Fort Smith Regional airport. The resident Arkansas Air National Guard unit, the 188th Fighter Wing, at Ebbing Air National Guard base officially transitioned from the F-16C Fighting Falcon to the A-10A Thunderbolt II. The transition was a result of the 2005 BRAC process, during which the BRAC panel concluded that Fort Smith should retain it’s flying mission but give a portion of it’s F-16C’s to the 144th Fighter Wing with the California Air National guard at Fresno CA and the balance to the 64th Agressor Squadron at Nellis AFB. With their Vipers leaving the 188th would receive 18 A-10 “Warthogs” from various east coast Air National Guard units.

I’d like to personally thank Msgt. Bobby Dugger for all his help, research and coordination, Msgt Robbie Keylon for the access adjacent to runway 25 to shoot the Viper departures, Major Keith Moore for helping me with my visit, Wayne Matusiak with Airshow Traveler and all the members of the 188th Fighter Wing, the “Flying Razorbacks”……………….WOOO PIG!!!!!!