Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh held a news conference Friday afternoon (Jan. 18) to address his visit to the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith.
The general told reporters that he understands the concerns of the Airmen and their families that the 188th Fighter Wing will lose their A-10 and therefore, lose jobs.
But he stressed that their intent is not for the unit to go away, but for the mission to change with minimal job loss.
The 188th's current flying mission is with the A-10s.