Fifty years of heritage (edition 17) Published July 15, 2011 By Eric M. White 910 AW/PA YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Each week in 2011, the 910th AW/PA office will republish a historic article or highlight from the archive along with a brief commentary. In the case of articles, we will publish exact copies of the originals, so any grammatical or typographical errors are intentional reproductions. Article 17: From rumble to roar in the skies above Youngstown Residents of the greater Youngstown area have long been able to identify key transitions at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) by the sights and sounds of its aircraft. It has been 30 years since the last such transition, when the 910th Airlift Wing began flying the C-130. Prior to the 1980s, however, changes were more common. Youngstown's aerial heritage began in the mid-1950s when the active duty 26th Fighter-Bomber Squadron flew the T-33 and F86H aircraft. Youngstown's Air Force Reserve history began in 1958 with the relocation of the 757th Troop Carrier Squadron from Byrd Field, Va., which brought the C-119 Flying Boxcar to Youngstown. The C-119s ruled the skies over Youngstown for more than ten years, after which the tactical airlift mission ended and the unit was re-designated the 910th Tactical Air Support Group, flying the U-3A aircraft. The next transition for the 910th signified a dramatic technological advancement as the group adopted its first jet-powered aircraft. In 1971, the sound of the Flying Boxcar's 3500 horsepower radial engines rumbling over Northeast Ohio were replaced by the roar of the A-37 Dragonfly's turbojet engines. Re-designated the 910th Special Operations Group, YARS adopted a close air support mission. The following article, taken from the June, 1971 Nine Ten Flyer, chronicles the 910th's preparations to adopt its new mission. From the June, 1971, Nine Ten Flyer 910th Preparing to Enter Jet Age The name's the same but it's an entirely new ball game already for the 910th tactical Air Support Group. Pilots and maintenance personnel of the group have already entered the "jet age" even though the name shift to "Special Operations Group" has been delayed until later this month. Maj. Joseph Repko, staff maintenance officer, and Maj. John Thomas, who earlier this year was acting stan/eval officer, were the first 910th pilots to train in the A-37. Major Repko went to Grissom AFB, Ind. For his "Phase One" checkout under instructor pilots of the 910th's "parent" unit, the 434th Special Operations Wing. Major Thomas was sent to England AFB, La., where he will be followed by many other pilots of the group. Earlier, 24 pilots went to England AFP for ground school training in the A-37. At the school, they studied the internal systems of the bird. A number of the pilots either have or will receive additional training in the AT-33, a training version of the F-80 Shooting Star, the Air Force's first operational jet fighter, before progressing to the A-37. A special three-week course in the AT-33 is held at Myrtle Beach, S.C. The additional jet experience is for those pilots designated as instructors and for those who want to be reintroduced to small jet aircraft. The 910th has gained 12 new pilots in the past year and eight more are coming aboard who are jet qualified. In addition, the group has recruited one civilian who on completion of the Air Force's Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program, will return to Youngstown Air Reserve Base to fly with the 910th. More vacancies are available to the 910th for UPT. Most of the Air Reserve Technician maintenance personnel have received training in the new aircraft. Some went to Grissom for OJT with the Wing personnel and others went to special classes at England AFB. Training at England was for technicians in aircraft radar, aircraft electronic navigational equipment, aircraft pneumatic repair, instrument repair, aircrew egress systems repair, electric repair, aircraft maintenance and jet engine maintenance. The 910th currently has four Reserve airmen in jet mechanics school and has asked for slots in future classes to train seven more. This training is for Reservists who had just completed bas training. The Group also is recruiting former servicemen to fill jet mechanic vacancies and to date has recruited five who are qualified. One of the more significant changes inherent in the transition to A-37s is the addition of a munitions capability. The 910th eventually will have 78 airmen assigned to carry out munitions duties associated with the "fighter-bomber" mission. The "Dragonfly's" armament includes Sidewinder missiles, rocket launchers, 7.62 millimeter or 50 cal. Gun pods and more than 12 kinds of bombs. Internally it carries the 7.62 "Minigun." In the munitions field, the 910th has 23 airmen who already have completed the required schools. These are Airmen who were recruited, sent to A.F. basic training, then on to weapons training at Lowry AFB, Colo. From 15 to 18 current 910th members will crosstrain in that field. And, the 910th has requested slots in future classes at the weapons schools in order to provide training. So, for some personnel of the 910th, the next UTA and even the annual active duty encampment will seem pretty much of a hum-drum affair for they will only be standing on the threshold of the "jet age." But soon they will follow the others over that threshold to a more exciting era.