New Cold War: Idaho’s 124th preps for Air Strikes! Or, Labor Shortages can give you a case of the Blue Bombs!

“With the multi-capable Airmen concept, we are able to teach others how to do our job. Instead of sending eight ammo troops and eight weapon troops, we are able to send four of each and share the workload.”-Master Sergeant Michael Cabell, 124th Maintenance Squadron

Inert Blue Bombs prepped for Idaho A-10C’s combat turns. Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 02FEB2022.

‘Combat Turns’ means aircraft returning from a bombing mission get quickly refueled and rearmed, and turn right back around and take off for another air strike. But this year’s combat turns are a little different, they are using what the U.S. Air Force is now calling Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts, which is an Orwellian way of saying ‘get used to doing more with less equipment’, especially people (which is not a good thing if the higher-ups are expecting a new World War).

GFU-7 Dragon 30mm ammunition loader. Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Loading the GAU-8 Avenger. Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Idaho National Guard photo by Ryan White, 03FEB2022.

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Mercedee Wilds, 05FEB2022.

02-05FEB2022, on Gowen Field (South side of Boise Airport), Idaho, the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing-190th Fighter Squadron practiced Combat Turns with their A-10C Thunderbolt-2s (unofficial nickname is Warthog).