Behind the Scenes: The Making of an A-10C Pilot (Night flying photos)

Released by 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs:



Prior to his flight June 23, 2010, 1st Lt. Dan Griffin, a pilot from the 358th Fighter Squadron, reviews maintenance records for his A-10C aircraft. This was the lieutenant's second of eight night flying missions as part of the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course curriculum. Upon completion of this course he will be a fully qualified A-10C pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



An A-10C Thunderbolt II taxis down the runway prior to taking off for a night flying mission here June 23, 2010. As part of the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course curriculum all pilots must learn to execute night flying missions through six hours of academic classes, five hours in the A-10 FMT, also known as a simulator, and eight flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



Prior to his flight June 23, 2010, 1st Lt. Dan Griffin, a pilot from the 358th Fighter Squadron, inspects his A-10C aircraft. This was the lieutenant's second of eight night flying missions as part of the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course curriculum. Upon completion of this course he will be a fully qualified A-10C pilot. To learn more about his journey through the course, check out "Behind the Scenes: The Making of an A-10C Pilot" at www.dm.af.mil. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



Airman 1st Class Jeff Gronemyer, an A-10C crew chief from the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, stands by as 1st Lt. Dan Griffin performs his final operations check prior to departing for a mission June 23, 2010. This was the second of eight night flights for Lieutenant Griffin, who is currently a student in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course. As part of the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course curriculum, he needed to learn how to execute night flying missions. He accomplished this through six hours of academic classes, five hours in the A-10 FMT, also known as a simulator, and eight flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



1st Lt. Dan Griffin, a pilot from the 358th Fighter Squadron, performs his final operations checks on his A-10C aircraft prior to departing for a night flying mission June 23, 2010. Lieutenant Griffin is a student in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course and upon completion of this course he will be a fully qualified A-10C pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



The canopy of an A-10C Thunderbolt II lowers as 1st Lt. Dan Griffin prepares to depart the flight line for his second of eight night flying missions here June 23, 2010. Lieutenant Griffin is a student in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course and as part of his training requirements he must learn to execute night flying missions using night vision goggles. He accomplished this training through six hours of academic classes, five hours in the A-10 FMT, also known as a simulator, and eight flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



Airman 1st Class Jeff Gronemyer, an A-10C crew chief from the 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, directs 1st Lt. Dan Griffin to his parking spot following his second night flight June 23, 2010. Lieutenant Griffin is a student in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course. To learn more about his journey through the course, check out "Behind the Scenes: The Making of an A-10C Pilot" at www.dm.af.mil. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



1st Lt. Dan Griffin, a pilot from the 358th Fighter Squadron, climbs out of the cockpit of his A-10C Thunderbolt II after a night flying mission June 23, 2010. This was the lieutenant's second night flight. During the mission he practiced dropping bombs on targets with the aid of night vision goggles. Lieutenant Griffin is a student in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course and upon completion of this course he will be a fully qualified A-10C pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res



Lt. Col. Derek Emmons, 358th Fighter Squadron director of operations, briefs 1st Lt. Dan Griffin and the lieutenant's instructor pilot, Maj. Mark Gilchrist, prior to stepping out to the flight line for a night flying mission here June 24, 2010. This was the lieutenant's third of eight night flights. As part of the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification course curriculum, he must learn to execute night flying missions using night vision goggles. He accomplished this through six hours of academic classes, five hours in the A-10 FMT, also known as a simulator, and eight flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft should be A-10C 79-0178 (instead of 80-0178). Crew inscription: Plt Capt Timothy Mitchell, Dcc SrA Caleb Martinez, Acc A1C Andrew Seaman. No ladder door art.