Historic A-10 photos archived by DoD now online again

By Joachim Jacob, Warthog News Editor



An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft is mounted on a pedestal during a test at the Rome Air Development Center's Newport Test Site.

Note: Pictured is the first YA-10A prototype 71-1369 (tail number 11369).

In late 2005, when I was very busy with posting some of my well-researched info about F-16 combat deployments of operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom on F-16.net - The Ultimate F-16 Reference, there was a Department of Defense (DoD) website, called dodmedia.osd.mil, which provided a lot of archived official photos. Sometime later, this website was offline. Later, DoD launched a new site, called defenseimagery.mil. But for years, there was at least no public access to this new site. Some weeks ago, they announced that they still have some problems with server relocations to provide searchable photo stuff. Yesterday, I tried it again and was surprised by the new-uploaded A-10 photo stuff. Please just try DefenseImagery for still images of A-10! If the search engine not works, just try it again - same technical problems like years ago...

I'm now in the process to download all available A-10 photos to preserve it.



Tactical Airlift Command A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft in camouflage paint scheme depart from the base following the Long Rifle III competition., The semi-annual air-to-ground gunnery competition tested tactical air crews' abilities to plan and execute long-range missions execute attacks on first-look targets and acccurately deliver ordnance.



A right side view of a 57th Fighter Weapons Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft dropping parachute-retarded bombs during a tactical capabilities exercise.



Two A-10 Thunderbolt II and a C-130 Hercules aircraft are parked next to Highway 1 while participating in highway landing exercise during TEAM SPIRIT '86.



An aerial view of Highway 1, with two A-10 Thunderbolt II and C-130 Hercules aircraft parked alongside during TEAM SPIRIT '86. The aircraft are participating in highway landing exercises.

Please note: Some more sample pics and additional photo interpretation will be uploaded soon, also hi-res links.