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.