{"id":328598,"date":"2020-08-25T06:02:25","date_gmt":"2020-08-24T20:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=328598"},"modified":"2020-08-25T06:02:25","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T20:02:25","slug":"25th-fs-warthogs-fly-on-guam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/25th-fs-warthogs-fly-on-guam\/","title":{"rendered":"25th FS warthogs fly on Guam"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam\u2014The 25th Fighter Squadron, assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, South Korea, were recently at the Farallon de Medinilla Range in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, honing their flight skills while deployed in Guam last Aug. 10-21.<\/p>\n

The 25th FS regularly participates in training events that take place in the Indo-Pacific, such as Cobra Gold and the Rim of the Pacific. Through events like these, the 25th FS is able to strengthen and build relationships with partner nations and improve their capabilities in protecting American interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving the chance to come to Andersen demonstrates our capability to quickly relocate, establish, and operate our force wherever we may be needed at any time,\u201d said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Austin Lasch, A-10 pilot. \u201cWe will be ready to operate side-by-side with our allies when needed, and our combined training in the Indo-Pacific region will allow us to do so seamlessly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lasch explained that their primary mission is to maintain peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific, which requires well-trained airmen and proven techniques.<\/p>\n

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick Castle, assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea, poses for a photo at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after a routine training flight, Aug. 17, 2020. (Photos by U.S. AIR FORCE\/SENIOR AIRMAN MICHAEL S. MURPHY)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe training we\u2019re getting here is fantastic because it allows the pilots to practice and refine their weapons delivery,\u201d Lasch said. \u201cWe can practice various delivery techniques and see what works best in different situations. Having the FDM range at our disposal has been invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The change in pace for the 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit gives a better idea of what their job will look like while deployed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get a really big sense of accomplishment out here, especially when we get to travel,\u201d said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Isaac Quintana, 25th AMU A-10 crew chief. \u201cIt shows us that we get to do real mission work. The workload changes when you are home compared to when you are deployed, and this environment simulates more of a deployed environment while still being labeled as training.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quintana said that doing training missions like this puts crew chiefs in positions of safe freedom. Safe freedom meaning that a crew chief can make a call and then find out it wasn\u2019t necessarily the best one to make, but supervisors and superintendents are watching and working alongside crew chiefs to teach and increase overall capabilities in the AMU.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really about how to be independent on your own jet,\u201d Quintana said. \u201cYou get to make calls out here that normally you wouldn\u2019t get to make back at home station. It gives airmen more leadership opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n