47th FS demonstrates maritime capabilities

by Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jim Travis, 47th Fighter Squadron commander, with the bomb he used to penetrate the hull of an unmanned ship as part of a sinking exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 14, 2012. The mission was part of the Rim of the Pacific exercise. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Courtesy photo) Full size

7/20/2012 - Barksdale AFB, La. -- Pilots of the 47th Fighter Squadron demonstrated the maritime capability of the A-10 Thunderbolt II by sinking an abandoned naval vessel July 14 during the Rim of the Pacific exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

The exercise was unique in that it required A-10 pilots to take on a maritime target instead of the more traditional land-based target, according to Lt. Col. Jim Travis, 47th Fighter Squadron commander.

Maj. Grant McCall, 47th FS pilot, coordinated the event and said the quick sinking of the naval vessel surprised some of the RIMPAC planners.

"I think they underestimated the ability of the A-10," he said. "Other groups were supposed to shoot at the target after we took our turn, but never got the chance because we sank it."

Travis said a four-ship formation of A-10s dropped four inert, 2,000-pound laser-guided bombs on the vessel. The bombs inflicted heavy damage on the ship, with the first bomb completely penetrating the hull.

After dropping the bombs, the pilots continued the attack, inflicting heavy damage on the ship with 30-millimeter rounds until it plunged beneath the surface of the ocean, according to Travis.

"The 30 millimeters were pounding the ship and sending monster geysers of water up in the air. It was a spectacular sight, like something out of old World War II footage." he said.

In addition to sinking the ship, pilots from the 47th FS were also able to participate in a unique exercise in which they helped F-22 Raptor pilots from the Hawaiian Air National Guard by generating coordinates for their bombing practice, said McCall.

Travis said the point of the exercise was to introduce coordinates to the F-22s and have them launch an attack on those points.

"It was a big success because we were able to send them coordinates and they were able to launch their attack in less than five minutes," he said. "It was the first time this type of coordination has ever been attempted with these F-22s, so their timely response and perfect hits on the coordinates was impressive."

Travis added the ability to provide direct and indirect maritime support adds another dimension to the capability of the A-10.

"RIMPAC has provided us an opportunity to expand our maritime air support capabilities. Where else could you drop a ship in a SINKEX, defend allied ships from a small boat attach and practice close air support with some of the special operations teams?" said Travis.

The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

A photo taken from an A-10 Thunderbolt II shows an unmanned ship sinking after being hit planes flown by members of the 47th Fighter Squadron July 14, 2012, off the coast of Hawaii. The mission was part of the Rim of the Pacific exercise. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Courtesy photo) Full size

Note: That's the official photo caption. But I'm not sure. The picture's VIRIN code 120210-F-XX000-001 suggests it was taken on February 2, 2012. I will check further RIMPAC 2012 sources for that.

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