IANG: Mission change coming for 122nd fighter wing.

February 4, 2012

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — The Department of Defense is planning a mission change for Indiana Air National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne.

An area newspaper reports the wing’s A-10 jets will be replaced by MC-12 aircraft, a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft with a primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces.

Five bases that fly the A-10 Warthogs, including Fort Wayne’s, are slated to lose those squadrons as the Pentagon transitions to the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Indiana congressmen sent a letter to Gen. Norton A. Schwartz on Friday expressing concern about the move. They say in the letter the 122nd Fighter Wing is essential to the Indiana National Guard and any cuts would have a deep impact on northeast Indiana.