D-M A-10Cs receive fuel over Afghanistan

By Joachim Jacob

The following USAF shots are part of a photo essay Fueling the Fight, KC-10A Extenders in Action, already released by 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs October 14, 2009. (Sorry for overlooking these very hot pictures in the past). BTW: Tvelve A-10Cs with the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, are currently deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. They replaced an A-10C contingent which was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram AB, Afghanistan, from the 23rd Wing (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia.



A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II approaches a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10A Extender to receive fuel over Afghanistan, October 5, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller) Hi-res



A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10A Extender over Afghanistan, October 5, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller) Hi-res



A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10A Extender over Afghanistan, October 5, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft in all three pictures above is A-10C 81-0950. Looks to me like the refuel flap is "borrowed" from A-10C 78-0709 (also currently deployed but still without new unit markings). Clearly visible are Sniper Targeting Pod on station 2, LAU-131 Rocket Pod on station 9, and SUU-25 Flare Despenser on station 10.



A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10A Extender over Afghanistan, October 5, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller) Hi-res

Note: Unidentified A-10C. Same loadout, but remaining bombs on stations 7 and 8. I alredy posted this single shot on Warthog News, see: USAF released latest known A-10 OEF shot

Source

Related info:
354th pilots surpass 1,000 A-10 flight hours Sept. 11

First A-10Cs at Kandahar
D-M A-10Cs caught at Lajes Field enroute Afghanistan (exclusive shots, taken by Warthog News contributor Paulo Santos, Portugal)
The 355th Fighter Wing makes deployment history
D-M Airmen deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
D-M A-10Cs logged at Lajes Field enroute Afghanistan (exclusive log by Warthog News contributor Paulo Santos, Portugal)
Additional OEF A-10 unit for Kandahar, Afghanistan?
451st makes history, stands up as wing
451st AEW Activation (Video)
Hundreds from D-M will fight Taliban (Arizona Daily Star)

See also: A-10 Units of Operation Enduring Freedom (Warthog News A-10 Background Info)

Note: I would be very grateful to get some more "Astan" info and pictures of the 354th EFS, but unfortunately there's still no public website of the 451st AEW online. Also, there are no related news or photos on 355th Fighter Wing's public website. In comparison, documenting former A-10 combat deployments to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, was much easier. Greetings and best wishes to all of the deployed "Bulldogs" and their maintainers!