More 23rd Fighter Wing A-10Cs are returning from Bagram AB to Moody AFB

Updated 31 July 2009

By Joachim Jacob

According to Portuguese photographer and Warthog News contributor André Inácio, on July 28, 2009, five A-10Cs from the 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Fighter Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia, arrived at Lajes Field, Azores, for stopover on their way from Bagram AB, Afghanistan, to CONUS. They departed Lajes Field on July 30, 2009. Logged and photographed were: 78-0697 (74th FS), 79-0192 (74th FS), 80-0140 (74th FS), 80-0226 (74th FS) and 81-0944. With the exception of 81-0944 (without unit markings, ex 190th FS, 124th Wg, Idaho ANG), these jets were deployed with the original 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron aircraft package. 81-0944 was one of the replacements, deployed after partial A-10 groundings do to wing cracks.

And here are the pictures (added 31 July 2009):



A-10C 80-0140 arrives. (Photo by André Inácio)



A-10C 78-0697 arrives. (Photo by André Inácio)



A-10C 80-0226 arrives. (Photo by André Inácio)



A-10C 79-0192 arrives. (Photo by André Inácio)



A-10C 81-0944 arrives. (Photo by André Inácio)

Note: Only A-10C 78-0697 carries mission markings (I'm surprised).

Special thanks to André Inácio for providing these shots exclusively.