SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing prepared A-10 Thunderbolt IIs for their first live-fire sorties at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 18, 2023. The loading of munitions represents another step forward in the deployment of the A-10 to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which offers the opportunity for 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) to experiment with CAS capabilities in order to achieve the most robust, diverse force possible. Ninth AF (AFCENT) is committed to ensuring security and stability alongside our partners in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.