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.
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

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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).

Thunderhog Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017

2. Thunderhog Marker

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

( nearby marker )
Army Air Corps Base Commanders 1942 First Lieutenant Claude W. Davis • 1942 First Lieutenant Ernest E. Fleming • 1942-1943 Major Leonard E. Thomas • 1943 Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Seinbenaler • 1943-1945 Colonel John A. Taro • 1945 Colonel James R. Gunn, Jr. • 1945-1946 Colonel Richard O. Harrell • 1946 Colonel Glen C. Nye • 1946-1947 Colonel Samuel J. Davis • 1947 Colonel Louis M. Merrick

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 33° 39.637′ N, 78° 55.681′ W. Memorial is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County. It 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. Memorial is in this post office area: Myrtle Beach SC 29577, United

Forward Operation Location Training Area Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017

3. Forward Operation Location Training Area Marker

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is on South Carolina’s Grand Strand

and in the Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 354th Tactical Fighter Wing A-7D (here, next to this marker); Reactivation of 354th Fighter Day Wing (a few steps from this marker); 354th Fighter Group History (a few steps from this marker); 354th Fighter Group World War II History (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 354th Fighter Group World War II History (a few steps from this marker); Myrtle Beach Army Air Field / Myrtle Beach Air Force Base (a few steps from this marker); Forgotten Warriors (a few steps from this

Army Air Corps Base Commanders Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Army Air Corps Base Commanders Marker

marker); Merchant Marine Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Myrtle Beach.

Also see . . . Myrtle Beach Air Force Base on Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017

5. Myrtle Beach Air Force Base 1980 - 1990 Marker

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017

6. Thunderhog Marker

Behind the marker are aircraft on display in Warbird Park

Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 19, 2017

7. Forward Operation Location Training Area Marker

Behind the marker are aircraft on display in Warbird Park

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

8. Army Air Corps Base Commanders Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 4. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 23, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 8. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.