Warthogs provide top cover for ground troops

By Staff Sgt. David Carbajal
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs



KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief waits for the pilot's call to pull the chalks during an A-10 Thunderbolt II launch at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2012. Kandahar's A-10s provide close-air support for U.S. and coalition ground troops throughout Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is an A-10C from the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Fighter Wing (Michigan Air National Guard), Selfridge ANGB.

1/21/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Kandahar's A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provide close-air support for U.S. and coalition ground troops throughout Afghanistan. Members of the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron make sure the "Warthogs" are fully-mission capable and launch on time.

Click here to see the photo slideshow.



KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A parked A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on the ramp in the early-morning hours at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2012. Kandahar's A-10s provide close-air support for U.S. and coalition ground troops throughout Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0111 from the 303rd Fighter Squadron, 442nd Fighter Wing (AFRC), Whiteman AFB, Missouri.



KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot taxis to the runway at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2012. The A-10 fires a 30-millimeter cannon and can carry up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance for close air support missions to support troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is an A-10C from the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group (AFRC), Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Visible in the background is Kandahar International Airport's main terminal with the tower just behind the "Hog's" nose gear.



KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief waits for the pilot's call to pull the chalks during an A-10 Thunderbolt II launch at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2012. The A-10 can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units and laser guided bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 80-0262 from the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Fighter Wing (Michigan Air National Guard), Selfridge ANGB.



KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Weapons load crew chiefs perform end-of-runway inspections on two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 20, 2012. The A-10 can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units and laser guided bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal) Hi-res

Note: Pictured at left is an A-10C from the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group (AFRC), Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Pictured at right is A-10C 80-0262 from the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Fighter Wing (Michigan Air National Guard), Selfridge ANGB.

Source

BTW: Special thanks to Staff Sgt. David Carbajal and the entire 451st AEW PA staff for sharing these impressive frontline pictures!

Further aircraft identification will be uploaded soon.

Visible standard combat loadout configuration:
Station 1: empty
Station 2: AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod
Station 3: LAU-117 launch rail (for a single AGM-65 Maverick)
Station 4: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 5: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 6: empty
Station 7: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 8: GBU-38 JDAM
Station 9: SUU-25 Flare Dispenser
Station 10: LAU-131 Rocket Pod
Station 11: empty