First to Use the A-10C in Combat

Minutes ago, under this headline 175th Wing Public Affairs released the following archived photo:



An A-10C Thunderbolt II jet taxis in on the flightline at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, after a mission October 27, 2007. The A-10Cs are assigned to the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which is made up primarily of members of the Maryland Air National Guard. They are the first unit to use the A-10C in a combat zone. Its upgrades have made air power much more efficient and have streamlined the close air support mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez / Released) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10C 78-0637 from the 104th Fighter Squadron. And I can tell you: This USAF picture was never released online before.

Visible combat loadout: SUU-25 Flare Dispenser on station 2, AGM-65 Maverick on station 3, GBU-12 on station 4, GBU-38 JDAM on station 8, LAU-131 Rocket Pod on station 9, AN/AAQ-28 Litening AT targeting pod on station 10.

For A-10 OIF combat deployments to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq (January - November 2007), please check: A-10 Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Part III