First six of 354th EFS A-10Cs returned to D-M from Afghanistan

As reported by Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from United States, the first six A-10Cs from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returned home to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from Afghanistan January 24, 2010. They landed at 2:30 PM local time (MST). Each aircraft carried an external fuel tank on center station 6. The return of the remaining six aircraft is expect for either Monday or Tuesday about the same time of day. The 354th EFS is returning from a six-month combat deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. It was the first A-10 combat deployment to this location.



The first cell arrives: A-10Cs 80-0246, 80-0142 and 81-0950. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



The second cell arrives: A-10Cs 78-0684, 81-0948 and 82-0663. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 78-0684 with blue fin flashes and special-marked 354 FS/CC (as the 354th Fighter Squadron commander's jet. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 81-0948 with yellow fin flashes. Note the green-painted nose landing gear door. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 81-0950 with yellow fin flashes. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 82-0663, still without unit markings and fin flashes. Note the large paper (probably an envelope) behind the wind shield. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 80-0246, still without unit markings and fin flashes. Note the green-painted nose landing gear door. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 80-0142 without fin flashes. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

Please visit Ned Harris' photostream on flickr