Latest known Operation Enduring Freedom A-10 combat loadouts

By Joachim Jacob

During the last couple of days, I re-checked all available public USAF shots to document the latest known OEF A-10 combat loadouts.

A-10 "Rainbow Team"

consisting of elements from:
303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (KC)
103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)
190th FS, 124th Wg (Idaho ANG), Boise, Idaho (ID)

(Combat-deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, May - September 2008)

Photo proofs of: 82-0659 - 103rd FS, 111th FW (Pennsylvania ANG), Willow Grove ARS, Pennsylvania (PA)
; 78-0655 - 303rd FS, 442nd FW (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri (KC):

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3: empty pylon
Station 4: GBU-12 Paveway II
Station 5: pylon not installed
Station 6: Mk. 82 LDGP?
Station 7: pylon not installed
Station 8: GBU-12 Paveway II
Station 9: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 10: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 11: empty pylon

23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing (ACC), Moody AFB, Georgia (tailcode FT)

(Combat-deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan, September 2008 - August 2009)

Note: In early March 2009, the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was replaced by the 74th EFS, but only by personnel.

Photo proof of 79-0179:

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3: empty pylon
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 5: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 6: empty pylon
Station 7: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 9: empty pylon
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: empty pylon

Photo proofs of 80-0252, 78-0679:

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3: SUU-25 Flare dispenser
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 5: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 6: empty pylon
Station 7: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 9: LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick missile
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: empty pylon

Photo proof of ...:

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3: empty pylon
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 5: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 6: empty pylon
Station 7: Mk. 82 LDGB (black fuse cover)
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 9: LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick missile
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: empty pylon

Photo proof of 80-0144:

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3: Flare Dispenser
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 5: Mk. 82 (black fuse cover)
Station 6: empty pylon
Station 7: Mk. 82 (black fuse cover)
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM (white fuse cover)
Station 9: empty pylon
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: empty pylon

Photo proof of 79-0135:

Station 1:
Station 2: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 3:
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM (yellow fuze cover)
Station 5:
Station 6:
Station 7:
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM (yellow fuze cover)
Station 9:
Station 10: AN-AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11:

354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Wing (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (tailcode DM)

(Combat-deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 2009 - January 2010)

Photo proofs of 80-0155, 78-0684:

Station 1: empty pylon
Station 2: Sniper XR targeting pod
Station 3: LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick missile
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 5: GBU-12 Paveway II
Station 6: empty pylon
Station 7: Mk. 82 LDGB
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 9: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 10: empty pylon
Station 11: empty pylon



An A-10C Thunderbolt II with the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flies over Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, January 1, 2010, as it completes ten thousand hours of flying during the squadron's six-month deployment. The aircraft is A-10C 78-0684, marked 354 FS/CC as the commander's jet (or 354th FS's "squadron bird"), and flown on this mission by Lt. Col. Michael Millen, 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. Visible combat loadout: station 1: empty pylon, station 2: Sniper XR Targeting Pod, station 3: empty LAU-117 single-rail launcher for AGM-65 Maverick missile, station 4: GBU-38 (JDAM), station 5: GBU-12 Paveway II, station 6 (center station): empty pylon, station 7: Mk. 82 LDGB, station 8: GBU-38 (JDAM), station 9: LAU-131 Rocket Pod, station 10: empty pylon , station 11: empty pylon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dayton Mitchell) Hi-res