188th Fighter Wing weapons loaders at Kandahar Airfield

Released yesterday by 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Master Sgt. Craig W. May, left, secures a GBU-38 JDAM as Staff Sgt. Charlie Parker waits to drive the bomb over to an A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog," February 2, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. May and Parker are weapons loaders deployed from the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The 188th deployed approximately 50 Airmen to Afghanistan for a four-month Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) rotation on January 4, 2010. The remainder of the 188th personnel, approximately 250, will begin its portion of the rotation in early March 2010, when the 188th's official rotation begins. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft in the background must be A-10C 80-0166 from the 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas ANG), Fort Smith Regional Airport, Fort Smith, Arkansas (tailcode FS).

Visible combat loadout:

Station 1: not visible
Station 2: SUU-25 Flare Dispenser (note the unusual white front cover)
Station 3: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 4: probably GBU-38 JDAM
Station 5: probably GBU-12 Paveway II
Station 6: empty
Station 7: probably Mk. 82
Station 8: probably GBU-38 JDAM
Station 9: Empty LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick missile
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: Empty pylon



Staff Sgt. Kyle P. Shaw, left, and Master Sgt. Craig W. May load a GBU-38 JDAM onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog," February 2, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Shaw and May are weapons loaders deployed from the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher) Hi-res

Note: That's station 3. Another GBU-38 JDAM is visible on station 2.



Master Sgt. Craig W. May, left, loads a guidance unit to a GBU-12 Paveway II bomb on an A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog," February 2, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher) Hi-res

Note: That looks to me like station 5.

188th Fighter Wing's first and lone female pilot

Released yesterday by 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Women's History Month - Capt. Kristin Bass prepares to exit an A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog" following her fini flight at the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, Arkansas, October 6, 2008. Bass flew both F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10s for the 188th and was the unit's first and lone female pilot. The 188th will celebrate Women's History Month March 6, 2010, during UTA with guest speaker, State Command Sgt. Major Deborah Collins at 9:30 a.m. in the 188th headquarters auditorium. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Brambl, 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 80-0166. But according to the original Armament Control Panel (still with "eyebrows"), in fact it's not an A-10C.

A-10C Patriot Rifle III news article published by AIR International

By Joachim Jacob



As recommended freelance aviation photographer Neil Dunridge from United Kingdom e-mailed me today, he has an 8 page news article in this months AIR International (March 2010 issue) on the 47th Fighter Squadron's deployment for exercise Patriot Rifle III back in September 2009.

Publisher's preview:
PATRIOT RIFLE III
Neil Dunridge visits Hill AFB, Utah, to witness an A-10 AGM-65 Maverick live-fire training exercise.

Tomorrow, I will go to my international press shop at Berlin's Bahnhof Zoo to take a first look on Neil's article (if the current issue of AI is availlable in Germany now).

Related info:
Mavericks live at Patriot Rifle III (917th Wing Public Affairs news article)

Quote:

Neil Dunridge, a freelance photographer from Oxford, England, is authoring a book about the A-10 Thunderbolt II and was able to imbed with the 47th Fighter Squadron during the deployment.

"This book will not be just about the A-10, but also about the maintenance personnel who keep it flying," said Mr. Dunridge. "The people were fantastic and the trip couldn't have gone better."

Neil at work:



Neil Dunridge, a freelance photographer from Oxford, England, deployed with the 47th Fighter Squadron to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on September 12, 2009. Mr. Dunridge is currently writing a book about the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. More than 54 members of the 917th Wing from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and six aircraft participated in the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Greg Steele) Hi-res

Remembering Cold War Hogs

By Joachim Jacob

Please remember the glory days as Hogs were forward-deployed to Europe to counter any Warshaw Pact offensive in case of World War III.

Some historic pictures just found on Wikipedia Commons (some of them with their still working dodmedia hi-res links):



An A-10 Thunderbolt II lands on the Bundesautobahn A29 near the city of Ahlhorn, Germany, during NATO-exercise "Highway 84". During the Cold War, sections of German Autobahnen were selected as emergency landing pads for USAFE Hogs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Glenda Pellum) Hi-res

Note: Visible is one unidentified A-10.



Rear view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II as it takes off from the Bundesautobahn A29 near the city of Ahlhorn, Germany, during NATO-exercise "Highway 84". (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rod Prouty) Hi-res

Note: Visible are two unidentified A-10s.



An aerial view of the Bundesautobahn A29 near Ahlhorn, Germany. Construction of A29 just completed in 1984, the emergency-runway has been in the initial design. The highway has been cleared of traffic to allow it to be used to land aircraft during a military NATO exercise "Highway 84". (U.S. Air Force photo by Tsgt. Rod Prouty). Hi-res

Note: Pictured is Autobahn Notlandeplatz Ahlhorn. Any aircraft spotter from Europe who can/will provide some more of such historic A-10 German Autobahn pictures? I would be very grateful for any support.



An aerial view of Sembach Air Base, Germany, operations area in 1982. Some A-10s on parking spots and in revetments. (U.S. Air Force photo) (Defense Visual Information -DVI- Directorate picture. 22 April 1982- 1982-04-22. Author: Sutherland) Hi-res



High angle right side view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing in flight. Date Shot: 1 Sep 1980. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Dennis A. Guyitt) (VIRIN-ID DF-ST-82-04391) (National Archive# NN33300514 2005-06-30) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 77-0248, assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge, United Kingdom.



An air-to-air right side view of an A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The squadron is deployed to Zaragoza Air Base for weapons tactics training. Date Shot: 1 Mar 1987. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. David S. Nolan) (VIRIN-ID: DF-ST-89-05338) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 81-0991, nicknamed "Blue Thunder", assigned to the 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters, United Kingdom.



An air-to-air right side view of a A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron firing its 30 mm cannon during training. The squadron is deployed to Zaragoza Air Base for weapons tactics training. Date Shot: 1 Mar 1987. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ssgt. David S. Nolan) (VIRIN-ID DF-ST-89-05336)

Note: The aircraft is A-10 78-0655, assigned to the 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters, United Kingdom.

Davis-Monthan to Host Annual Heritage Flight Training Conference

by Airman First Class Brittany Dowdle
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/24/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. -- The annual Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Training Conference will be held here March 4 to 7.

The Heritage Flight Training Conference is held each year prior to the beginning of the spring and summer air show seasons to provide civilian and Air Combat Command demonstration pilots a forum to train together. Heritage formations, during which modern and historic fighters fly together, are a popular highlight event at air shows throughout the United States and Canada.

The heritage aircraft will include multiple P-51 Mustangs, the P-40 Warhawk and an A-1 Skyraider. ACC's demonstration teams will include the A-10 Thunderbolt, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-22 Raptor, and the QF-4 Phantom.

The conference consists of extensive ground training and ends with three days of flight training. It is not open to the general public.

"The air show season is a great opportunity for the public to see what kind of Air Force they have and heritage flights demonstrate the history of American airpower," said Maj. Jesse Jahn, event organizer. "The mission of the training conference is to prepare all of the pilots involved to operate safely and efficiently during the air show season."

For more information, call Major Jahn at 228-5181.

Source

Local Girl Becomes Pilot for a Day

by Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/24/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. -- Audrianna Ramirez, a 10-year-old battling Cystic Fibrosis, toured the base Dec. 4 as a participant in the Pilot for a Day program.

The program provides local children with serious illnesses or disabilities with a day completely devoted to them and their interest in aviation.

Audrianna brought along her mother, Ramona, father, Norberto, sister, Samantha, and brother, Arturo. Her day started off by meeting host pilot, Maj. Brian Cusson, an A-10 pilot with the 355th Operations Support Squadron.

Major Cusson brought Audrianna and her family to his squadron, where they checked out life support gear and looked through night vision goggles. Audrianna and her family then headed to the 355th Operations Support Squadron where she was presented with a personalized flight suit complete with name tag and squadron patches. While at the 355th OSS Audrianna was administered the Pilot for a Day oath, where she was encouraged to ask a lot of questions and have fun.

Then Audrianna and her family visited the D-M Fire Protection Flight and an A-10 static display, where Audrianna got to sit in the cockpit.

From there, the group visited the 79th Rescue Squadron's hangar, where Audrianna and her family checked out an HC-130 rescue aircraft. Audrianna toured the inside of the plane before heading to the 55th Rescue Squadron, where she toured an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.

During lunch Audrianna was asked what her favorite part of the day was but said she had a hard time choosing. "I liked riding in the fire truck, and all the airplanes, and the helicopter," she said.

The group then headed back to the 355th Operations Support Squadron. Audrianna experienced the A-10 flight simulator, a system that replicates flying an aircraft over a virtual map. After her mock flight, the visit ended with a brief tour of the control tower, where she was presented with an honorary Air Traffic Controller certificate and occupational badge. Then, Audrianna and her family headed home.

"I was inspired by everyone that participated in the Pilot for a Day Program," said Major Cusson. "Our young pilot and her siblings remained enthusiastic and eager to learn from the Airmen and civilian employees in many of the bases' diverse mission areas. The D-M team did a great job showcasing their skills, bringing smiles to their young faces and warm hearts to the parents, who walked away with a refreshing confirmation that they are protected by the Air Force's proud men and women."



Pilot for a Day participant, 10-year-old Audrianna Ramirez, sits in the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II static display on the flight line here December 4, 2009. As part of the program, Audrianna and her family were provided with a tour of the base which included static displays of an A-10 Thunderbolt II, HC-130 Hercules and an HH-60 Pavehawk. This program is designed to benefit children of the Tucson community with serious disabilities or illnesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res

Source

Eight more A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron showed up at Nellis for exercise

On February 24, 2010, eight more A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, showed up at Nellis AFB, Nevada, for exercise: 81-0945, 81-0960, 81-0985, 81-0988, 81-0991, 82-0650, 82-0654, and 82-0656. A-10Cs 81-0976 and 81-0980 already arrived February 23, 2010. Still not documented is the arrival of A-10Cs 80-0275 and 81-0983, also part of the 81st FS twelve-ship which departed Spang for Continental United States (CONUS). Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith from United States had the opportunity to take the following exclusive pictures:



A-10C 81-0945. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 81-0960. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 81-0985. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 81-0988. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 81-0991. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 82-0650. (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 82-0654 (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size



A-10C 82-0656. Note the different black panther pictogram on the left fin-cap (refering to the Squadron's nickname "Panthers") instead of the usual black lightning (still visible on the right yellow fin-cap). (Photo by Bruce Smith). Full size

Note: All eight aircraft are carrying Sniper XR targeting pod on station 10, external fuel tank on station 6, MXU-648 baggage pod (at least on station 4), empty single LAU-117 launch rail for a Maverick missile on station 3, and Dual Rail Adapter (DRA) on station 11. All Hogs are equipped with AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System.

Related info:
First two A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron showed up at Nellis for exercise
Last two 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs finally departed Lajes Field for CONUS
Twelve 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs left Spang for CONUS

First two A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron showed up at Nellis for exercise

By Joachim Jacob

As Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith from United States told me via e-mail, two A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, showed up at Nellis AFB, Nevada, February 23, 2010: 81-0976 and 81-0980. "Maybe they are coming" he also wrote.

For a couple of days, Bruce and I we both thought the twelve Spang Hogs currently on TDY at CONUS (Continental United States) are scheduled to join exercise Red Flag 10-3. But after the following e-mail from Warthog News contributor James O'Rear (also from United States): "Will be interesting if the 81st do show at Red Flag, haven't seen them on the schedule.", I checked all current exercise info on Nellis' public website.

And really, no A-10 unit is scheduled for Red Flag 10-3 (22 Feb. - 6 March 2010).

On the other hand, A-10Cs from the 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas ANG), Fort Smith, are still listed to participate in Green Flag - West (12-26 Feb. 2010), also at Nellis. But in fact, they already participated in Green Flag - West 10-01 for their current Operation Enduring Freedom combat deployment, shared with the 104th Fighter Squadron, 175th Wing (Maryland ANG), Martin State.

Quote:

[...] The 188th deployed approximately 200 pilots, maintenance and support personnel to Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 9-23, 2009, for additional training. The 188th deployed 10 A-10Cs to Nellis.

The primary motive of Green Flag was to duplicate warfare conditions currently found in Iraq and Afghanistan. Aircrew engaged in battle exercises that furnished training in which they worked closely with joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) to protect nearly 6,000 Soldiers and 400 armored and support vehicles from an opposing enemy force in a 1,000-square-mile combat environment.

While at Green Flag, the 188th dropped a diverse array of munitions and bombs, including GBU-38 JDAMs, GBU-12 LGBs, MK-82s (inert), MK-66 rockets and AGM-65 Mavericks as well as firing 30 MM rounds from the A-10's GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun.

All of that training was to prepare the 188th for what it will encounter in Afghanistan. [...]

Source

And so, the 81st FS could fill out their original slot in current Green Flag - West (still not numbered) for an upcoming OEF combat deployment.

Source

Please note:
Green Flag - West exercises take place 10 times a year. Aircraft and crews fly from Nellis AFB, Nevada, in support of ground combat training at Fort Irwin (Barstow), California.

Related info:
Last two 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs finally departed Lajes Field for CONUS
Twelve 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs left Spang for CONUS

BTW: Bruce and James are on place to take any pictures. Good luck, guys!

Update: According to a further e-mail from Bruce, the A-10Cs are 81-0976 and 81-0980.

A-10s scheduled to participate in Cope Tiger 2010

According to a Pacific Air Forces news, A-10s are scheduled to participate in the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise in Thailand March 1-12. Looks to me that Hogs from the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Wing (PACAF), Osan AB, Republic of Korea, will participate.



U.S., Thailand, Singapore to begin Cope Tiger 2010

2/23/2010 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii -- Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force will participate in the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise in Thailand March 1-12.

Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial large force exercise conducted in the Asia-Pacific region that includes humanitarian and civic assistance programs. It takes place at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases in Thailand.

More than 1,600 people will participate in the exercise, including approximately 500 U.S. servicemembers and 1,100 servicemembers from Thailand and Singapore. The field training exercise includes a combined total of 120 aircraft and air defense units, 21 of which will be U.S. aircraft.

U.S. aircraft scheduled to participate in Cope Tiger 2010 include the C-130 Hercules, A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-17 Globemaster III, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning Control System, and F-15 Eagle.

Cope Tiger enhances combined readiness and interoperability, reinforces the U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, and demonstrates U.S. capability to project combined and joint forces strategically in a multilateral environment.

Source

Lt. Col. Clarence A. Johnson Jr. assumed command of the 354th Fighter Squadron

Released today by 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Lt. Col. Clarence A. Johnson Jr. (right) receives the 354th Fighter Squadron's guidon from Col. Edward A. Kostelnik Jr., the 355th Operations Group commander, during a change-of-command ceremony on the flight line here February 19, 2010. Colonel Johnson assumed command of the squadron from Lt. Col. Michael Millen, who commanded the squadron for slightly more than two years. Colonel Johnson is a senior pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res

Note: On his left engine, the A-10 in the background wears an air intake cover with the inscriptions 79-0209 (serial number) and 355 AMXS for 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Davis-Monthan Airmen Host February's Pilot for a Day

by Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

2/24/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz. -- Marcus Lucero, a 7-year-old battling hydrocephalus, toured the base Feb. 20 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day program.

The purpose of the program is to provide local children with serious illnesses a day completely devoted to them and their interest in aviation.

Marcus brought along his mother, Charlotte, brother, Matthew, and sister, Sienna. His day started off by meeting his host pilot, Capt. Jason "Trunk Monkey" Bartels, an A-10 pilot with the 358th Fighter Squadron.

Captain Bartels brought Marcus to his squadron, where Marcus put on his new flight suit, complete with a personalized name tag and squadron patches. There, Marcus and his family learned more about the life support gear the pilots wear when flying and looked through night-vision goggles.

After finishing up at the 358th, Captain Bartels brought Marcus and his family to the D-M Fire Protection Flight to meet the Airmen and see the fire trucks.

From there, the group visited the 79th Rescue Squadron's hangar, where Marcus and his family checked out an HC-130 rescue aircraft. Marcus toured the inside of the plane before heading to the 55th Rescue Squadron, where he toured an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.

At the next stop, Marcus had the opportunity to see an A-10 aircraft on static display.

The group then headed to the 355th Operations Support Squadron. While there Marcus experienced the A-10 flight simulator, a system that replicates flying an aircraft over a virtual map.

After his mock flight, their visit ended with a tour of the aircraft control tower where he had the chance to see the tower simulator. At the end of his tower tour Marcus was presented with an "Honorary Air Traffic Controller" certificate and occupation badge. Then, Marcus and his family headed home.

"My favorite part was flying in the A-10 simulator." Marcus said, "I got to shoot two planes down and I bombed my school! It was cool!"

The day was just as special for Marcus's mom.

"This is a great program -- very exciting and educational," said Ms. Lucero. "I really appreciate everyone who took the time to make this happen for him."

For Captain Bartels, teaching the young boy about the Air Force was a tremendous opportunity.

"Marcus is a phenomenal young man," said the captain. "His positive attitude is a model for us all to follow. Watching his eyes light up while shooting the fire truck's water cannon or flying the A-10 simulator was the greatest thanks I could have asked for."



Pilot for a Day participant Marcus Lucero, seven years old, experiences flight in an A-10 simulator at the 355th Operations Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, February 19, 2010. Marcus and his family were provided with a tour of the base and visited the 358th Fighter Squadron, the air traffic control tower and the D-M Fire Department. This program affords children with disabilities or serious illnesses with a day devoted to them and their interest in aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res

Source

Last two 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs finally departed Lajes Field for CONUS

As Warthog News contributor André Inácio from Portugal told me via e-mail on Sunday, the remaining two of twelve 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs finally departed Lajes Field, Azores, for Continental United States (CONUS) February 21, 7:30am local time, together with a KC-135 Stratotanker for tanker support.

Related info:
Twelve 81st Fighter Squadron A-10Cs left Spang for CONUS

Please note the following exclusive picture (posted again), taken by Warthog News contributor Paulo Santos from Portugal:



A-10Cs 81-0980 and 81-0976 are still parking at Lajes Field February 9, 2010, after the rest of the 81st Fighter Squadron aircraft package had already departed for CONUS on the same day. (Photo by Paulo Santos)

Note: According to a comment from Bruce, the 81st FS twelve-ship is due to participate in Red Flag 10-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Still there are no related official U.S. Air Force pictures online. But so I hope, we will get shots in the next couple of days (or weeks ???).

Update:
Later today, from Warthog News contributor James O'Rear, United States, I got the following e-mail: Will be interesting if the 81st do show at Red Flag, haven't seen them on the schedule. I'm there for a couple of days so will see if I can get something for the blog.

Good luck, James!

MetaVR A-10 Afghanistan simulator wallpaper and demo clip

On February 19, 2010, W. Garth Smith from MetaVR, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, e-mailed me the following two interesting links:



Full size



Related demo clip of this virtual Hog: MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) Recorded Real-Time Scenario of an A-10 Mission Set in Virtual Afghanistan

Some corrections from me:

My deep respect to the entire MetaVR team for their digital work. But sorry, as an A-10 enthusiast, please let me post some corrections. I would be very grateful if you integrate all of that in your next upgrades.

- Both the screenshot and the demo clip are depicting A-10 79-0135 (see shortened number "90135" in front of the canopy) from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers", 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing (tailcode FT), now at Moody AFB, Georgia, with their unique shark mouth but with wrong tailcode AK and fin-cap colors of the 354th Fighter Wing (PACAF), Eielson AFB, Alaska.

- A-10s of the former 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing (PACAF), Eielson AFB, Alaska, usualy were marked with black fin-caps. In exception, at least the Hogs of the 354th Fighter Wing commander and the 354th Operations Group commander were special-marked with black and blue fin-caps:



Three O/A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska, sit outside of the "Hog Pen" here awaiting training missions on April 7, 2005. Visible in the foreground is 81-0979, special-marked as 354th OG commander's aircraft. (U.S. Air Force poto by Senior Airman Joshua Strang) Hi-res

- The 355th FS was inactivated on 15 August 2007 as a result of BRAC 2005.

- I'm surprised that the rendered Hog lacks the GPS dome just behind the cockpit. This dome is part of the Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI), upgraded 1999 - 2003.

- A-10s of Operation Enduring Freedom never were armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on a Dual Rail Adapter (DRA) as visible on station 11 on the rendered Hog. Background: As A-10s joined Operation Enduring Freedom in spring 2002, there were no air-to-air threaths.

- By comparing the screenshot with the first USAF shot of "The real aircraft" (see below), it's clear that the bomb on station 5 on the screenshot is not in the right position (too far back). In fact, dumb Mk. 82 bombs and also GBU-38 JDAM precision bombs on stations 4, 5, 7 and 8 have the same front-end level.

- The pilot in the screenshot looks to me like standing in the cockpit, but not like sitting in the cockpit.

The real aircraft:



A-10C 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers" during a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan November 7, 2008. AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 10, BLOS antenna behind the cockpit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers" during a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan November 7, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers" during a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan November 7, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers" during a combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan November 7, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res



A two-ship A-10 Thunderbolt II formation flies a combat mission over Afghanistan on November 7, 2008. The aircraft are A-10C 79-0135 (foreground) and A-10C 80-0272, both from the 74th Fighter Squadron "Flying Tigers". (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0135 from the 74th Fighter Squadron arrives at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, February 6, 2009, after departing Bagram AB, Afghanistan, for inspections in case of possible wing cracks. Clear visible are the aircraft's real unit markings (including the shortened serial number 0135 on the left main landing gear sponson). (Photo by Matthias Bienentreu) Full size

A-10 wallpaper on spacewallpapers.net

I like this shot:



80-0223 from the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing. Unfortunately, date of shot is unknown to me. Note the yellow patch on the right forward fuselage. (U.S. Air Force photo) Full size

355th Fighter Wing A-10s caught at D-M February 19, 2010

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from United States had the opportunity to take the following pictures:



A-10 81-0948 with yellow fin flashes from the 357th Fighter Squadron. Note the green-painted nose landing gear door, likely installed while in Afghanistan. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 80-0150 with yellow fin flashes from the 357th Fighter Squadron. Note the nose damage after air-refueling and the green-painted nose landing gear door, likely installed while in Afghanistan. AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 2. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0159 with black fin flashes from the 358th Fighter Squadron (marked 358 FS/CC as the squadron commander's aircraft). (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0155 still without new unit markings. Note the green-painted nose landing gear door, likely installed while in Afghanistan. MXU-648 baggage pods on stations 4 and 8. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0274 still without new squadron markings. Note the GSR from GAU-8. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

355th Fighter Wing A-10s caught at D-M February 18, 2010

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from United States had the opportunity to take the following pictures:



A-10 79-0190 with blue fin flashes from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 79-0190 only some seconds later. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 81-0948 with yellow fin flashes from the 357th Fighter Squadron. Another Hog is visible in the background at right. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 78-0670 with white fin flashes from the 358th Fighter Squadron (marked 358 FS/CC as the squadron commander's aircraft). (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 78-0684 with blue fin flashes from the 354th Fighter Squadron (marked 354 FS CC as the squadron commander's aircraft). Note the green-painted nose landing gear door, likely installed while in Afghanistan. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0274 still without new squadron markings. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 81-0943 with white fin flashes (marked 355 FW/CC as the wing commander's aircraft, called Wing King). AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 2. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

355th Fighter Wing A-10s caught at D-M February 17, 2010

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from United States had the opportunity to take the following pictures:



Formation landing of A-10Cs 80-0211 (left) and 80-0181 still without new squadron markings. Both aircraft are carrying Sniper XR targeting pod on station 2. Note the different shape of the darker grey paint on the forward fuselages. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

Aircraft info from my blog's Warthog Aircraft Database:
80-0181 (A10-0531) 76th TFS, 23rd TFW (EL); Desert Storm; 354th FS, 355th FW (DM)
80-0211 (A10-0561) 354th FS, 355th FW (DM)



A-10C 80-0150 with yellow fin flashes from the 357th Fighter Squadron. Note the damaged nose after air refueling and also the green-painted nose landing gear door, likely installed while in Afghanistan. AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod on station 2. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 78-0670 with white fin flashes from the 358th Fighter Squadron (marked 358 FS/CC as the squadron commander's aircraft). (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0147 still without new squadron markings. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 79-0198 still without new squadron markings. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 79-0198 still without new squadron markings. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0215 with black fin flashes from the 358th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0207 with yellow fin flashes from the 357th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 79-0210 still without new squadron markings. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0159 with black fin flashes from the 358th Fighter Squadron (marked 358 FS/CC) as the squadron commander's jet. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10 80-0273 still without new squadron markings, but with the "last three digits" 273 on the right main landing gear sponson - totally unusal for 355th FW's Hogs. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size