A-10 Pilot Takes Aim On Terrorism
Talk to almost anyone
in the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, and a recurring theme
is the desire to provide the best support possible for friendly
forces on the ground. The way to do that is by making sure A-10
Thunderbolt II aircraft here are always ready to fly at a moment's
notice, so that an overwhelming air presence is constantly
available in the sky over Afghanistan, whenever and wherever
needed. Ultimately, the fighter pilots of the 354th Expeditionary
Fighter Squadron make air dominance in Operation Enduring Freedom a
daily reality.
In a recent battle, 1st Lt. Michael Stock, the 354th EFS'
newest, youngest pilot, helped provide the kind of support that
ground troops expect from Airmen. He also got his first taste of
combat experience. The success of his timely interdiction during a
heated firefight once again demonstrated the lethal efficiency of
the A-10. Lieutenant Stock was flying "convoy-escort" support when
an urgent call from a ground radio station came in: "Troops in
contact." U.S. Soldiers and members of the Afghan national army
were taking intense small-arms fire from enemy forces who had
holed-up in a compound. Two American Soldiers and an Afghan soldier
had been killed in the fight, and several others were wounded. Just
weeks after being certified, "combat-mission ready," the lieutenant
was about to enter the fray of battle.
Flying in a two-ship formation with his squadron commander, Lt.
Col. John Horner, in the lead and Lieutenant Stock as the wingman,
the aircraft swung into action. The youngest and oldest pilots here
were en route to the scene. After getting precise guidance from a
joint terminal air controller on the ground, Lieutenant Stock
provided coverage as Colonel Horner dove in to deliver an AGM-65
Maverick air-to-ground missile that smashed into its target.
Despite the direct hit, enemy resistance continued, repelling
friendly force attempts to storm the compound. Getting low on fuel,
Colonel Horner called Lieutenant Stock over the radio and told him
of the situation. The two pilots rolled back toward the target,
first the lead ship, then his wingman, both unleashing deadly
accurate 30 mm cannon fire into the compound. Having entered battle
for the first time, Lieutenant Stock fired his weapons with the
cool efficiency and professionalism of a seasoned veteran, Colonel
Horner said.
"Given his inexperience, his performance was noteworthy," said
the colonel. "The scenario we were in was extremely challenging due
to the complexity, the dangerously close proximity of friendly
forces to the target, coordination requirements with attack
helicopters, terrain, communications limitations and extremely low
fuel state. He stayed in formation and put his shots abeam mine
with pinpoint accuracy."
Lieutenant Stock said that the many months of fighter-pilot
training that he received from outstanding Air Force instructors
made him ready for this moment.
"Everything is very methodical in training, and there's a lot of
repetition, which is very helpful," he said. "This was just like
training … but with real people and real targets."
He said that he did not have time to feel a sense of anxiety or
worry when the call for action came, because there were too many
other factors to attend to. Most important was to make absolutely
sure that it was the bad guys he lined up in his gun sight. He
wanted to be absolutely sure that no friendly forces were in the
line of fire.
"I wasn't really nervous or excited -- this is what we have to
do," Lieutenant Stock said. "I was too concerned about focusing on
my parameters and what I needed to do, so I had no time to be
scared or excited."
He then explained some of those critical things that a fighter
pilot has to consider before launching weapons, including attacking
at the right angle, at the proper air speed and with the correct
distance from the target before pulling the trigger. He also
explained that he had to position his aircraft to shoot from the
appropriate direction so that none of the 30 mm rounds would hit
"friendlies" battling on the ground.
"It's like splitting hairs," Lieutenant Stock said, explaining
the precision of the targeting process. "Until this instance, I'd
never taken such precise aim in my life.
He said that having the utmost confidence in his lead pilot
during the engagement, along with a sense of not wanting to fail
his 354th EFS teammates, provided extra momentum for a successful
mission.
"I trusted (Colonel Horner) 100 percent. He's very
professional," said the lieutenant. "This entire squadron is very
professional, and they don't accept weak links. I didn't want to be
one."
In a familiar refrain, Lieutenant Stock said he was glad that he
could be there to support the troops on the ground. He also told of
the respect that he has for them.
"We come back (to base) after a few hours," he said. "They're
out there for weeks on end."
Once he returned here, Lieutenant Stock said he remained
concerned about the ground troops. He said there was no room for
getting excited about his first combat experience until after he
learned more about how his actions affected those engaged in the
ground fight.
"Once you know that you did everything asked of you, then you
feel good about the job you did," he said. "I feel great that we
were able to do our part and take out some terrorists."
ANN thanks USAF Master Sgt. Jeff Szczechowski for this
article.