163th Fighter Squadron A-10Cs caught at D-M January 14, 2012

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from the United States had the opportunity to take the following shots:



Three more A-10Cs from the 163rd Fighter Squadron "Blacksnakes", 122nd Fighter Wing (Indiana ANG), Fort Wayne IAP, arrive at D-M. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 79-0095 still only with tail number. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A closer look on A-10C 79-0095. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 79-0162 still only with tail and bow number. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



A-10C 80-0152 already with IN tail code, and the last three digits also painted on the right main gear well. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size



Ohio ANG KC-135 Stratotanker arriving just prior to "Blacksnakes" A-10Cs. Probably their supporting tanker. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

Full size

Loadout configuration:
Station 1: empty
Station 2: SUU-25 Flare Dispenser
Station 3: LAU-117 launch rail (for a single AGM-65 or CATM-65 Maverick)
Station 4: Triple Ejector Rack (TER) with a LAU-131 Rocket Pod on the bottom
Station 5: MXU-648 baggage pod
Station 6: empty
Station 7: MXU-648 baggage pod
Station 8: Triple Ejector Rack (TER) with a LAU-131 Rocket Pod on the bottom
Station 9: LAU-117 launch rail (for a single AGM-65 or CATM-65 Maverick)
Station 10: AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 11: empty

Note: mounting a LAU-131 Rocket Pod to a TER (designed for "dumb" and practice bombs) is unusual and a very rare view. Maybe they did that to ferry the pods to their TDY location. But as mentioned in Jake Melampy's book "The Modern Hog Guide - The A-10 Warthog Exposed", in the 1980's it was not uncommon to see them hanging from the bottom of a TER mounted on stations 4/8 and 5/7 (See page 114).

See also:
163th Fighter Squadron A-10Cs caught at D-M January 10, 2012

Note: According to a comment from Anonymous, they are on a training TDY as part of "Operation Snowbird". Logged so far by Ned's pictures are:
A-10C 78-0679 (10 January arrival)
A-10C 78-0692 (10 January arrival)
A-10C 79-0095 (14 January arrival)
A-10C 79-0162 (14 January arrival)
A-10C 80-0152 (14 January arrival)
A-10C 80-0244 (10 January arrival)

Please note: Photo captions will be further updated soon.

Please also note: In a couple of days I will post an A-10C aircraft inventory update of the 163rd Fighter Squadron "Blacksnakes". I've already logged 15 aircraft. Anybody who can/will tell me the serial numbers of the remaining others? I would be very grateful for any support.