In 1997 the squadron returned to flying A-10s after having been assigned the F-16 Falcon, completing the transition in September. In 1999, they returned to Kuwait as part of Aerospace Expeditionary Force 1 and deployed elements as part of the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in 2002 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in 2002 during OEF. It also supported Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. While supporting the relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina elements operated from Whiteman Air Force Base, MO and Barksdale Air Force Base, LA in September 2005. In October 2007, pursuant to BRAC 2005 action, Air Force Reserve A-10 flying operations at Naval Air Station JRB New Orleans terminated and the squadron moved to its present location at Nellis Air Force Base, NV. This is their deployment shield patch for their operations in OSW, says “COMBAT CAJUN” along the bottom, and does not have velcro on the back.
