Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990
Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017
1. Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990 Marker
Inscription.
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990. . , Throughout the mid-1980s, the 353rd, 355th and 356th Tactical Fighter Squadrons deployed overseas to further refine the Wing's combat training initiatives. Deployments were conducted to Germany, England, Egypt, Korea, Hawaii, Cuba and Puerto Rico. All of these deployments were in conjunction with United States Army exercises. These joint training initiatives were used to refine and verify continuing Air Force and Army close air support operational procedures., During the latter part of the decade, the Wing's emphasis began to shift away from the European Theater. Mounting tension in the Middle East resulted in a shift in emphasis to this volatile region. This regional shift in preparedness proved timely when the 354th was the first ground attack unit deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. , ( top photo caption ) , Prior to takeoff from Barbers Point, Hawaii Naval Air Station for the next mission, Lieutenant Colonel Weaver, pilot checks his bombs., ( bottom photo caption ) , Crews prepare for operation Desert Storm. , , ( nearby marker ) ,
Thunderhog. The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing participated in numerous high-profile exercises and deployments during this era. Local exercises, named Thunderhog in reference to the A-10's nickname, stressed developing procedures that made it possible for the Wing's flying units to produce very high sortie rates during simulated combat operations. During Thunderhog IV, the A-10 Thunderbolt II flew 1,270 sorties in 10 days. , ( bottom photo caption ) , Refueling in a chemical environment was an important training aspect of the Thunderhog exercises. , ( right photo caption ) , After a mock attack, simulated wounded were cared for at the mobile hospital unit deployed to the FOLTA (Forward Operation Training Area)., ( nearby marker ) ,
Forward Operation Location Training Area. The Wing renovated the World War II era aircraft dispersal parking area that was located on the east side of the airfield. This area, called the Forward Operation Location Training Area (FOLTA), was very similar to the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) bases that the A-10 units would be deployed to in response to aggressive actions by the Warsaw Pact (an organization of Central and Eastern European communist states). The FOLTA was used by all of the Wing's squadrons and provided the 354th with a unique training environment., ( photo caption ) , FOLTA, the Hardstand concept, was developed during World War II to protect the east coast against Nazi bombing
Throughout the mid-1980s, the 353rd, 355th and 356th Tactical Fighter Squadrons deployed overseas to further refine the Wing's combat training initiatives. Deployments were conducted to Germany, England, Egypt, Korea, Hawaii, Cuba and Puerto Rico. All of these deployments were in conjunction with United States Army exercises. These joint training initiatives were used to refine and verify continuing Air Force and Army close air support operational procedures.
During the latter part of the decade, the Wing's emphasis began to shift away from the European Theater. Mounting tension in the Middle East resulted in a shift in emphasis to this volatile region. This regional shift in preparedness proved timely when the 354th was the first ground attack unit deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
( top photo caption )
Prior to takeoff from Barbers Point, Hawaii Naval Air Station for the next mission, Lieutenant Colonel Weaver, pilot checks his bombs.
The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing participated in numerous high-profile exercises and deployments during this era. Local exercises, named Thunderhog in reference
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to the A-10's nickname, stressed developing procedures that made it possible for the Wing's flying units to produce very high sortie rates during simulated combat operations. During Thunderhog IV, the A-10 Thunderbolt II flew 1,270 sorties in 10 days.
( bottom photo caption ) Refueling in a chemical environment was an important training aspect of the Thunderhog exercises.
( right photo caption )
After a mock attack, simulated wounded were cared for at the mobile hospital unit deployed to the FOLTA (Forward Operation Training Area).
( nearby marker )
Forward Operation Location Training Area
The Wing renovated the World War II era aircraft dispersal parking area that was located on the east side of the airfield. This area, called the Forward Operation Location Training Area (FOLTA), was very similar to the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) bases that the A-10 units would be deployed to in response to aggressive actions by the Warsaw Pact (an organization of Central and Eastern European communist states). The FOLTA was used by all of the Wing's squadrons and provided the 354th with a unique training environment.
( photo caption )
FOLTA, the Hardstand concept, was developed during World War II to protect the east coast against Nazi bombing
Location. 33° 39.637′ N, 78° 55.681′ W. Marker is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County. Memorial is at the intersection of Farrow Parkway and South Kings Highway, on the right when traveling north on Farrow Parkway. Located in the Warbird Park next to Myrtle Beach International Airport. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Myrtle Beach SC 29577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Forward Operation Location Training Area Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017
4. Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990 Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017
5. Thunderhog Marker
Behind the marker are aircraft on display in Warbird Park
Photographed By Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017
6. Forward Operation Location Training Area Marker
Behind the marker are aircraft on display in Warbird Park
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.