TUSCON, Ariz. (AP) - Davis-Monthan Air Force Base has a new commander who is taking over at a time when the Tucson installation faces uncertainties over the future of the A-10 jet.
A-10 jets are the base’s largest mission, the Arizona Daily Star (https://bit.ly/2dIniut ) reported.
The base is in the running for several future projects, including drones.
“All that is positive, and my No. 1 priority right now, in my two years, is trying to posture the base strategically for our future mission, because a lot of those decisions are going to be made while I’m here,” said Col. Scott C. Campbell. “In the short run, I think you’re going to see additive capacity here, additive missions, an increase in missions.”
Campbell started his two-year post last month at the base where he received A-10 training in 1997.
“I do remember it was hot,” Campbell said. “I was driving a Jeep Cherokee with no air conditioning that was black, so I probably couldn’t have been less prepared for that.”
He says his focus is to prepare the base for a possible increase in missions and added capacity.
Campbell said mission decisions could start this winter.
The Air Force recently said it would hold off on retiring the jets until 2022 or longer as A-10s are used to combat the Islamic State.
Campbell said he’s continuing to train A-10 pilots despite the jets’ looming retirement.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, https://www.tucson.com
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