81th EFS A-10C arrival shots

As already reported, the first ten A-10Cs from the 81st Fighter Squadron "Panthers", 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, returned home September 27, 2010, from their recent combat deployment as 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (81st EFS) to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Outside Spangdahlem AB George "cyborg" de Jong from the Netherlands had the opportunity to watch all ten jets during their arrival. Yesterday, George provided me one picture of each aircraft. And only one of them (A-10C 81-0980) has been already posted on the recommended Dutch Scramble Message Board. The shots are posted in order of arrival:



A-10C 81-0991. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 82-0656. Note the different black thing on the left yellow fin band (it's not the usual arrow). (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 80-0275. Note the absence of any black thing on the left yellow fin band. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 81-0980. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 81-0976. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 81-0963. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 81-0945. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 82-0654. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 81-0985. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size



A-10C 82-0649. (Photo by George de Jong) Full size

Special thanks to George for sharing his rare pictures.