Prepping For War

by SSgt Nathanael Callon

Prepping For War

U.S. Airmen with the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for takeoff at Spangdahlem Air Base March 24, 2011, in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon)

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Just days after Spangdahlem launched F-16s in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the 81st Fighter Squadron prepared to send A-10 Thunderbolt IIs to Italy to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which demanded an immediate ceasefire in Libya, as well as authorizing use of force to protect civilians on the ground.  While the F-16s provided air superiority in the skies over Libya, the A-10 was designed for close air support and assisted anti-Qadhafi forces on the ground.