74th FS departs for Mojave Viper Exercise

Released today by 23rd Wing Public Affairs:



8/16/2010 - Three A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft taxi onto the runway as they prepare to depart to Yuma, Arizona, August 13, 2010. Several Moody A-10C aircraft traveled to Arizona to participate in the Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

Note: The leading aircraft is A-10C 78-0674 from the 74th Fighter Squadron.



8/16/2010 - Staff Sgt. Sean Carroll, 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, communicates with Capt. Brendhan Goss, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II instructor pilot, through a headset as they both go over the final details of the preflight check list before takeoff here August 13, 2010. Aircraft maintainers like Sergeant Carroll, traveled to Yuma, Arizona, to ensure that the A-10C will provide close air support during the entire Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

Note: Five mission markings (probably for GBUs).



8/16/2010 - Capt. Brendhan Goss, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II instructor pilot, makes eye contact with his crew chief during a preflight inspection before closing the canopy on an A-10C here August 13, 2010. Moody A-10C pilots and maintainers traveled to Yuma, Arizona, to participate in the three-week Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res



8/16/2010 - Staff Sgt. David Clifford, Air Combat Command East Coast A-10 Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, executes professional military bearing at parade rest during a 74th Fighter Squadron pilot's preflight checklist here August 13, 2010. Approximately 130 crew members including , maintainers and pilots from Moody traveled to Yuma, Arizona, to participate with U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy forces in the Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10C 80-0272.



MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. David Clifford, Air Combat Command East Coast A-10 Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, checks the brakes on an A-10C Thunderbolt II before its departure to Arizona in support of the Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise in Arizona August 13, 2010. Each aircraft goes through a pre-flight check list before takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res



8/16/2010 - An A-10C Thunderbolt II returns to flight formation after exercising evasive maneuvering techniques during training here March 16, 2010. Moody A-10Cs will provide close air support to U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy forces during the three-week Enhanced Mojave Viper Exercise in Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

Note: This archived picture (not released before) is also part of the photo news release. It shows A-10C 79-0157 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. Sniper XR targeting pod on station 2.

Background info: For the exercise, the Moody Hogs will be stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Enhanced Mojave Viper is a combined arms exercise to prepare Marines for deployment to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. It's a pre-deployment training package that concentrates on multiple scenarios of warfare. Unfortunately, USMC websites are offline at the moment. By the way: Such an involvement of U.S. Air Force A-10Cs in this exercise is absolute new to me. Anybody who can/will provide additional info? I would be very grateful for any support.

See also:
Photo essay: Moody gets ready for desert warfare training exercise
Slideshow: Moody gets ready for desert warfare training exercise