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Video by Senior Airman Emma Duff

A-10’s Austere Landing

AFN Superstation Sembach

Dec. 10, 2015 | 1:28

The European Theater Security Package carries on, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Senior Airman Emma Duff takes us to Haapsalu, Estonia, where a great training opportunity is underway.
SCRIPT FOR CC:
The A-10’s from the 74th expeditionary fighter squadron continue to participate in the European Theater Security Package, or T-S-P. Lieutenant Colonel Bryan France explains how they’ve amped up their training-
“The training that you’re seeing with Austere Field Landings that’s a unique capability that the A-10 has. It’s the only fighter that can land in an environment like that so you can bring it to a forward location that maybe is not reachable by some of our hava assests like tankers. Land it, refuel it, and take back off again or continue combat operations.”
But what exactly does that mean? Captain Kurt Cloutier goes into detail about Austere Landing.
“Really that just means we’re landing at very air fields that are in poor conditions or possibly dirt and gravel air fields. The tactical application of that being if we are being engaged in a conflict we may be able to operate out of a field now that is much closer to the front of the battle.”
The 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron took advantage of this training opportunity that directly supports the T-S-P’s mission.
“It’s not just about A-10s but it’s about integrating our entire strike package that our coalition brings to the fight in NATO.”
From Haapsalu, Estonia, I’m Senior Airman Emma Duff.