"Total Force" A-10C team jets caught at Lajes returning from Afghanistan

By Joachim Jacob, Warthog News Editor

At Lajes Field, Azores, Warthog News contributor Paulo Santos from Portugal had the opportunity to take the following shots (already published on Airliners.net). Pictured are two of the Continental United States (CONUS)-based A-10Cs which were part of a recently combat-deployed "Total Force" A-10C team (18 jets), also including aircraft from the 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), which returned home separately.

A-10C 80-0265 from the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Wing (Michigan ANG), arrives on April 13, 2012. What an amazing light on a beautiful afternoon! And these airplanes deserve it since it's probably the last time that these A-10 will be seen at Lajes! "Red Devils" squadron will be deactivated and these ones are going back to the USA! This was the last of 6 A-10's that landed that day at Lajes, to join another 6 that landed the day before! (Photo by Paulo Santos) Full size

A-10C 79-0145 from the 47th Fighter Squadron, 917th Fighter Group (AFRC). One of four A-10s that departed that morning from Lajes on runway 15, waking up the whole city of Praia da Vitória! (Photo by Paulo Santos) Full size

Please note: This post will be updated soon.