122nd Fighter Wing completes A-10 conversion

Military

Baer Air Park honors area’s military heritage

The new Baer Field Heritage Air Park only hints at the legacy of Fort Wayne’s Air National Guard base.Wednesday

Five planes that have been flown by the 122nd Fighter Wing, plus a Humvee representing local units of the Indiana Army National Guard, are on display at the park, which also features a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground and a parking lot.Tuesday

New regional VA director named

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named a new director for the regional network that includes the VA Medical Center in Fort Wayne.Tuesday

The Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing announced Thursday it has completed its conversion to A-10 combat jets.

The switch from F-16 fighters to the A-10s began in early 2009. The Ferguson Road air base is now at "operational capability" -- meaning the A-10 jets can be deployed overseas.

"All personnel are trained and ready to go to combat in the A-10," Capt. Rebecca Metzger, public affairs officer at the base, said in an interview.

Metzger said the 20 planes went through a rigorous inspection process. In the meantime, hundreds of members of the 122nd Fighter Wing have filled vacancies in other units that deployed overseas.

For more on this story, see Friday's print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Friday.