(If I get permissions from other photographers, this report will be further updated with additional pictures. Latest update: 23 March 2009 [J.J.])
From March 4th to 8th, Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, hosted Air Combat Command's annual Heritage Flight Conference. This event allows civilian and military pilots to train together in preparation for the spring and summer air show seasons.
The historic aircraft that flew in this year's HFC included the P-51 Mustang, A-1 Skyraider, F-4 Phantom II, P-40 Warhawk, and F-86 Sabre. The modern ACC flying demonstration aircraft included the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-15C Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16C Fighting Falcon and the F-22A Raptor.
Approximately 300 people showed up on the designated flying days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The A-10C Thunderbolt II demo aircraft for the 2009 season are:
A-10 East Demonstration Team:
79-0213 and 79-0223, both from the 74th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia. 79-0223 is the 23rd FG flagship. As a demo aircraft, 79-0213 is also special-marked '23 FG'.
A-10 West Demonstration Team:
78-0712 and 79-0209, both from the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. 78-0712 is the 355th FW flagship. As a demo aircraft, 79-0209 is also special-marked '355 FW'.
As usual, all four demo jets have chromed gun muzzles.
A-10C 79-0213 from the 74th Fighter Squadron is temporary marked 23 FG only because it's the 2009 A-10 East Demo Team back-up aircraft. This close-up view is extracted from a formation flight shot, already posted in one of the news linked below. (U.S. Air Force photo by by Senior Airman Noah R. Johnson) Hi-res
A-10C 79-0223 from the 74th Fighter Squadron (marked 23 FG as 23rd Fighter Group flagship) lands after Saturday's demo. (Photo by André Jans) Full size
A-10 East pilot Capt. Johnnie "Dusty" Green prepares for take-off for Friday's demo in A-10C 79-0213. Crew inscriptions: Pilot Lt Col Rob Sweet, DCC SSGT Eric Oberg, ACC SrA Travis Roseman. (Photo by André Jans)
One of the 'Flying Tigers' special-decorated travel pods besides A-10C 79-0223. (Photo by André Jans)
Capt. Paul "Harb" Brown from A-10 West after his Friday's demo. (Photo by André Jans)
Proud A-10 West crew chief A1C Maura Gillis. Her Hog is in the background. (Photo by André Jans) Full size
One of the two A-10 East aircraft with some 355th Fighter Wing A-10s in shelters in the background. (Photo by André Jans) Full size
A-10C 78-0712 from the 357th Fighter Squadron flies in formation with an A-1 Skyraider during Sunday's demo. (Photo by Chris Janes) Full size
A-10C from the 74th Fighter Squadron flies in formation with F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-4 Phantom and P-40 Warhawk during Sunday's demo. (Photo by Chris Janes) Full size
A-10 West pilot Capt. Paul "Harb" Brown putting A-10C 78-0712 from the 357th Fighter Squadron thru the paces during Sunday's demo. (Photo by Chris Janes) Full size
A-10 East pilot Capt. Johnnie "Dusty" Green after his Sunday's demo in A-10C 79-0223, the 23rd Fighter Group's flagship. Crew inscriptions: Pilot: Col Michael O'Dowd DCC: SSgt David Clifford ACC: SrA Ken Butler; Canopy rail inscription: Tiger One. Col. Michael S. O'Dowd (called 'Tiger One') is the current 23rd Fighter Group commander (since July 27th, 2007). (Photo by Chris Janes) Full size
Saturday morning: A-10Cs 79-0223, 79-0209 and 78-0712 on the ramp. (Photo by John Bezosky) Hi-res
Saturday, about noon: All four demo A-10Cs for the 2009 airshow season are lined-up on the ramp. From left: 79-0213 and 79-0223 from A-10 East, 79-0209 and 78-0712 from A-10 West. Visible far left in the background are the two demo F-22A Raptors. (Photo by John Bezosky) Hi-res
Saturday, about noon: A-10C 78-0712 on the ramp. Hi-res
Saturday afternoon: A-10C 79-0213 is parked while A-10C 79-0209 leaves the ramp for the runway. (Photo by John Bezosky) Hi-res
Saturday afternoon, one hour later: A P-40 Warhawk is towed while A-10C 78-0712 sits in the background. Hi-res
Warthog Row on Friday. From left: A-10Cs 79-0213, 79-0223, 79-0209 and 78-0712. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Full size
The Warthog's business end. A-10C 79-0213. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Full size
A-10C 79-0223 and P-40 Warhawk during Friday's demo. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Hi-res
A-10C 79-0213 going inverted during Saturday's demo. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Full size
A-10C 79-0213 banks over Irvington during Saturday's demo. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Full size
A-10C 79-0209 in formation flight with F-4 Phantom II and F-15E Strike Eagle during Saturday's demo. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Hi-res
Same formation, seconds later. (Copyright 2009 / Brian Emch) Hi-res
Special thanks to André Jans (The Netherlands), Chris Janes (Tucson, Arizona), John Bezosky (Tucson, Arizona) and Brian Emch (Antelope Valley, California) for sharing their pictures!
See also:
D-M hosts Heritage Flight Conference
A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo Teams Schedule for 2009 (First Update)
Up-close tours for base personnel scheduled during annual Heritage Flight"
A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo Teams Schedule for 2009
A-10 East Coast Demo Team prepares for 2009 season
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