Latest news with #A-10ThunderboltII
News18
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Ex-US Air Force Pilot Backs India Over Pakistan If Tensions Escalate
Last Updated: Dale Stark, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the US Air Force and an expert A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, said his 'money is on the Indians.' A day after India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a former US Air Force pilot said his 'money is on the Indians" if tensions escalate. 'I've flown with both Indian and Pakistani fighter pilots during my career. I'll just say my money's on the Indians if this continues to escalate," Dale Stark, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the US Air Force and an expert A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, wrote on X on Thursday. I've flown with both Indian and Pakistani fighter pilots during my career. I'll just say my money's on the Indians if this continues to escalate.— Dale Stark (@DaleStarkA10) May 7, 2025 Responding to a comment, he said the Indian army 'was way better." They were way better. Stark, who served three combat tours in Afghanistan in 2006, 2010, and 2014, began his career as an aircraft mechanic before climbing the ranks to officer status. His post went viral in no time. A user commented on X, 'Indian Air Force pilots are rock stars." Indian Air Force pilots are rock stars. At par with RAF. @IAF_MCC — Jai Hind (@kannandelhi) May 7, 2025 Another agreed, saying, 'Indian pilots are thorough professionals. They know what to do and they will do without any religious fervour or over-enthusiasm. Moreover, India has a vast and diverse terrain to train them. They are the best." Someone wrote, 'I was there in '98. Fully agree. Both fierce fighters, but the Indian military is vastly more disciplined." I was there in 98. Fully agree. Both fierce fighters, but the Indian military is vastly more disciplined. — C/SAR Diver 'I've always heard that the Indian Air Force is top notch," a comment read. I've always heard that the Indian Air Force is top notch. — Chuck (@StilltheWarlord) May 8, 2025 India's pre-dawn offensive on Wednesday reportedly killed around 100 terrorists and destroyed key terror infrastructure across the LoC. The operation was in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. Operation Sindoor has been described by defence experts as a 'calibrated pre-emptive response" aimed at dismantling terror launchpads before they could become operational. The situation intensified quickly. Later that day, at least 13 people, including a soldier and women and children, were killed and 59 others injured in heavy cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. Hours later, the Indian armed forces thwarted a major retaliation attempt by the Pakistani military, which tried to strike multiple military targets across 15 cities in northern and western India using drones and missiles. According to the Defence Ministry, Indian forces managed to intercept the attacks and destroyed a Pakistani air defence system in Lahore. Pakistan's attempted targets included key strategic locations such as Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. 'The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks," the ministry said in a statement. First Published:
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Former US Air Force pilot says his ‘money is on Indians' as India-Pak tensions escalate
A former fighter pilot who served in the US Air Force for more than 20 years says he has flown with both Indian and Pakistani pilots. If asked to pick between the two, he would put his money on Indians. Dale Stark is a distinguished former US Air Force pilot renowned for his expertise with the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the "Warthog." He has been deployed to Afghanistan three times - in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Stark joined the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant Colonel. In a post shared on the social media platform X this morning, the US Air Force veteran said that having flown with both Indian and Pakistani fighter pilots, he would put his money on Indians if tensions between the two countries were to escalate further. 'I've flown with both Indian and Pakistani fighter pilots during my career. I'll just say my money's on the Indians if this continues to escalate,' he wrote. Responding to one surprised comment, Stark wrote: 'They [Indians] were way better.' His post comes after several pro-Pakistani social media handles falsely claimed that its forces downed five Indian jets – including Rafales – during Operation Sindoor on Wednesday. (Also read: Pak minister schooled by CNN anchor for absurd 'social media' reply as proof of downing Indian jets) The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that a misleading image being circulated online is from a previous incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet that crashed in Barmer, Rajasthan, in September 2024. The crash was not related to the ongoing operations and occurred due to a technical issue. The pilot involved in the crash survived the incident. PIB emphasized that the image has no connection to the current military activities or events linked to Operation Sindoor. (With inputs from PTI)
Axios
05-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Selfridge mission unites old foes Whitmer, Trump
The new fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a big win for Michigan's economy, highlighting Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's evolving relationship with President Trump. Why it matters: Prior to Trump's announcement last week that Selfridge will receive new fighter aircraft, the base's future — and the 30,000 jobs it supports — was uncertain because its aging A-10 Thunderbolt II squadron will be retired beginning in 2026. State of play: Selfridge will receive about 20 F-15EXs — a next-generation fighter aircraft — to replace the A-10s beginning in fiscal year 2028. Meanwhile, the A-10's retirement will happen gradually over the next several years, resulting in the loss of about 300 part-time and 25 full-time jobs. Whitmer said she is hopeful the new mission will minimize job losses, the Detroit News reported. What they're saying: Trump made the announcement last Tuesday during a visit to the base on Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township, about 30 miles northeast of Detroit. "I've come in person to lay to rest any doubts about Selfridge's future and the vital role it will play in our national defense," Trump said. Context: Selfridge's location is ideal for the new aircraft to fly over the Arctic toward Asia and other locations, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, told the Macomb Daily. Between the lines: Despite their previous disagreements, Whitmer has taken a more cooperative approach during Trump's second term. Her strategy — in contrast to more combative Democratic governors — made news last month when Whitmer hid her face with file folders while being photographed in the Oval Office. Whitmer later explained that she simply didn't want her picture taken: "That's all it was. I kinda wish I hadn't put my folder up in front of my face. But whatever." The latest: The Selfridge expansion outweighs any distress Whitmer endured in working with Trump to make it happen, the New York Times reports. "The fact that we got it done — all the grief is worth it," she told the Times. "The people of Michigan elected me twice because they know whether it's threats or pundits ridiculing me for going to the White House, I'm always going to stand up for the people of Michigan."
American Military News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Trump touts new fighter jet mission at Selfridge, shares credit with ‘effective' Whitmer
A Michigan military base is getting a much-needed boost after the Trump administration picked it as the future home of new fighter jets. The 21 aircraft in a new F-15EX fighter mission headed for Michigan's Selfridge Air National Guard Base would not only keep the lights on of the century-old facility but also help expand part of its service footprint over the next several years. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. The arrival coincides with Trumps first 100 days in office under his second presidency. (Ayrton Breckenridge/ It was an announcement Tuesday met with brief cheers and applause from more than 250 service members who greeted President Donald Trump in a hangar on base ahead of a nearby rally to mark the first 100 days of his second term in office. The F-15s are an aircraft-for-aircraft replacement for the retiring A-10 Thunderbolt II brigade, according to Major General Paul Rogers, after state and base officials spent the last five years 'fighting relentlessly' with the Air Force to bring in a new mission. Flanked by two A-10s — specially emblazoned with Nos. 45 and 47 for his presidential numbers — Trump laid a lot of the credit on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer just weeks after she made the trek to Washington to advocate for the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talks with military officials while waiting for President Trump to arrive on Air Force One on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. (Ayrton Breckenridge/ 'For decades, they've been trying to save this facility,' Trump told the crowd. 'I didn't realize that. … I heard about it from some people, including your governor, who has done a very good job. She came to see me. 'That's the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge, and she was very effective, along with some of the other politicians and some of the military people that love this place and what it stands for.' Trump thanked Whitmer for bringing Selfridge to his administration's attention, joking he's 'not supposed to do that' because she's a Democrat. The governor appeared among other government representatives behind Trump, including Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall and Senate Leader Aric Nesbitt. Air Force One lands on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. The arrival coincides with Trumps first 100 days in office under his second presidency. (Ayrton Breckenridge/ The A-10, also known as the 'Warthog,' Trump said, was 'an incredible plane.' He recalled the original Selfridge field's first take off in 1917, its legacy in training Tuskegee airmen during World War II and other 'generations of Michigan patriots,' and its history as a 'crucial pillar of North American air defense' as the largest military airspace complex east of the Mississippi River. Adding Michiganders 'have feared for the future of the base' and the $850 million economic impact it represented for the state, Trump said, 'Wow. Wouldn't that have been a shame to close?' It was a sentiment shared by other dignitaries on site, who lauded Trump's leadership in ushering the new fighter mission forward. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked him 'for restoring the warrior ethos' and rebuilding the military at large. Woven into his announcement, Trump trumpeted a proposed $1 trillion defense investment. Hall said it was the 'first time in decades' they could say 'Selfridge is winning' because of the new mission. 'No one else could save Selfridge,' he said. Whitmer's remarks were also brief, sharing gratitude for the announcement itself and the work that went into it. 'I am really damn happy we're here to celebrate this recapitalization at Selfridge,' she said. 'It's crucial for the Michigan economy. It's crucial for the men and women here, for our homeland security and our future.' In a separate statement released Tuesday, the governor called the investment a 'huge, bipartisan win' for Michigan that was 'decades in the making' to help grow the local economy and keep the country safe. 'Since day one, I've been laser-focused on securing a new fighter mission at Selfridge and supporting the brave service members who step up for our communities every day,' Whitmer said. 'I appreciate the president's partnership on this new fighter mission that will protect jobs and show the world that Michigan is the best place to pioneer the next innovations in national defense.' Rogers, too, credited bipartisan leadership with Tuesday's announcement. Although centered in Macomb County, he pointed to the air space historically utilized by the base's training pilots up over Lake Huron and toward Alpena. The new mission, he said, continues that history and the role pilots who train at Selfridge play around the world. 'This is a huge kind of influencer within that training capability here. And then, of course, they're always training for their war fighting mission, so they deploy overseas,' Rogers said. 'The A-10 unit was in Jordan last year. They're scheduled to go to a yet-to-be disclosed location this coming year in '26. Then, as soon as they come back now, they're going to be in this transition to a new aircraft. So, it's a very exciting time.' The rollout of the F-15s, he said, was expected to begin in 2028. Although the initial personnel numbers will remain the same, Rogers said the incoming change overall will mean an expansion in footprint for the base. In addition to the F-15s, they're also set to replace eight KC-135 Stratotankers with 12 new KC-46 Pegasus refueling tankers. The aircraft are manufactured by Boeing. 'Selfridge will be growing with those two new aircraft coming in,' Rogers said. ___ © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump praises Gov. Gretchen Whitmer while announcing new fighter jets for a Michigan air base
President Donald Trump announced a new series of fighter jets for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan on Tuesday, giving credit in part to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer, who is viewed as a likely presidential contender in 2028, has come under scrutiny from Democrats in recent weeks for cultivating a closer working relationship with Trump. She pitched Trump this month on securing a new fighter mission for the base, which is home to a soon-to-be-retired fleet of jets. But the meeting led to an awkward moment in the Oval Office, where Whitmer later stood as Trump signed an executive order targeting a critic and repeated his debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. A New York Times photographer captured her at one point shielding her face with folders. "That's the reason she came to see me, by the way — to save Selfridge," Trump said Tuesday at the base in Macomb County at an event Whitmer attended. Trump, who is holding a rally Tuesday evening in nearby Warren, announced that a new fighter mission of about 20 F-15EX jets will replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at the base. He praised a bipartisan lobbying effort that included Republicans such as Rep. John James, who represents the area in Congress and is running for governor next year. But he repeatedly singled out Whitmer and thanked her for bringing the issue to his attention. He even brought Whitmer onstage at the end of his remarks, seemingly catching her off-guard. "Well, I hadn't planned to speak, but I'm — on behalf of all the military men and women who serve our country and serve so honorably, on behalf of the state of Michigan, I am really damn happy we're here to celebrate this recapitalization at Selfridge. It's crucial for the Michigan economy. It's crucial for the men and women here for our homeland security and our future. So thank you. I am so, so grateful that this announcement was made today, and I appreciate all the work. Thank you," Whitmer said. Follow live politics coverage here In a statement shared by her office, Whitmer talked about the importance of the base. 'This is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan, decades in the making, that will grow our economy and make our country safer,' she said in the statement. 'I appreciate the President's partnership on this new fighter mission that will protect jobs and show the world that Michigan is the best place to pioneer the next innovations in national defense.' Trump's announcement was the second of the day geared toward Michigan, a major industrial state and Midwest battleground that he won by a slim margin last fall. Earlier Monday, the White House confirmed a tariff break for U.S. automakers, though the immediate impact on Detroit's Big 3 car manufacturers remains murky. A fraught political dynamic hung over the day. Whitmer — conscious of her national profile in a Democratic Party searching for new leadership and of the many Democrats who were angered by her unwitting cameo in a White House photo opportunity just weeks ago — sought to calibrate expectations around her appearance with Trump. This time, her team moved to get ahead of any fallout, confirming early Tuesday that she would be with Trump at the air base — 'to support her troops and the long-standing effort she has made to secure support for Selfridge,' a spokesperson said. The statement emphasized that she would not attend Trump's rally nearby. Whitmer also issued a series of social media posts meant to explain her scheduled meeting with Trump before it happened. 'I'll work with anyone who's serious about getting things done. But I'll never compromise on what I believe,' she said on X. 'In Michigan, we know how to get things done — and that means working together.' She added: 'Bipartisanship isn't about sacrificing our values. It's about standing strong and finding common ground to get things done. It's about putting people first, every single time.' Chris Meagher, a Democratic strategist and former Whitmer adviser, said Tuesday's announcement validates Whitmer's strategy for dealing with Trump. "Gov. Whitmer has showed she's not afraid to stand up to Donald Trump when he's wrong for Michigan and work with him when it's best for Michigan," Meagher said. "And she absolutely did what was best for the state of Michigan by working across the aisle on this deal. And she got the job done and deserves all the credit." This article was originally published on
