Every Air Education & Training Command base is crucial to the Air Force combat capability, but Sheppard's impact is uniquely broad. Take an everyday event at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan--the launch of an A-10 Thunderbolt combat sortie.
Every A-10 crew chief is trained at Sheppard and receives advanced training at our Field Training Detachments like the one at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. There's a good chance the pilot was trained at Sheppard by the 80th Flying Training Wing, too.
But Sheppard's connection to this combat sortie goes much deeper. We also trained:
- The propulsion specialist
- The officer and enlisted munitions and weapons specialist
- The avionics maintenance specialist
- The aircrew flight equipment specialist
- The fuels specialist
- The aerospace ground equipment maintenance specialist
When the Airmen return to quarters, they'll want to shower, watch some TV and maybe make a morale call. Sheppard also trained the plumbers, electricians and telecommunications specialists who make all that possible.
That's why we are proud to say "Combat Capability Starts Here!" |
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