Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith from the United States has the opportunity to take shots of aircraft over Nellis AFB nearly every day. During the last couple of weeks, Bruce documented a "silent" but significant swap of A-10Cs between the 355th Fighter Wing (ACC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and the 66th Weapons Squadron (WPS), USAF Weapons School (USAFWS), 57th Wing (ACC), Nellis AFB, Nevada.
In an e-mail Bruce told me: 6 Nellis planes, 80-0200, 80-0229, 80-0234, 81-0946, 81-0958, and 81-0977 were sent to DM in exchange for 78-0657, 78-0671, 80-0176, 80-0204, 82-0665, and 1 other I don't know the serial as of yet. 80-0176 has been remarked as WA, but I have not seen it fly yet (see static shot taken during Aviation Nation 2012). I was told about 80-0204 by a 66th WPS guy at the show, but have yet to see it. The other 3 listed are still wearing DM marks. The sixth is unknown to me. WA kept 79-0204 and 80-0185. The reason for the swap was the 6 DMs were upgraded for the HCMS (Helmet Mounted Cueing System) while the 6 WAs traded for them were not. The 2 kept planes were already upgraded for HMCS.
A-10C 80-0176 on static display at Nellis AFB during Aviation Nation 2012. This "Hog" is new to the 66th Weapons Squadron due to a plane swap with the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB. The former 358th Fighter Squadron jet has been already remarked as 66th WPS plane. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
A-10C 78-0671 (still wearing 357th Fighter Squadron markings) now belongs to the 66th WPS (2012-10-30). (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
A-10C 78-0657 (still wearing 358th Fighter Squadron markings) now belongs to the 66th WPS (2012-10-19). (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
A-10C 78-0657 (still wearing 358th Fighter Squadron markings) DM now belongs to the 66th WPS (2012-10-17). (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
A-10C 82-0665 (still marked "355TH OG/CC" as 355th Operations Group bird) now belongs to the 66th WPS (2012-10-17). (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
A-10C 82-0665 (still marked "355TH OG/CC" as 355th Operations Group bird) now belongs to the 66th WPS (2012-10-15). (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
The 66th WPS kept A-10C 80-0204 (2012-10-15), and also A-10C 80-0185. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size
Please note: More pictures and background info will be uploaded soon.
Request for support: Anybody who can/will provide a photo proof of A-10C 80-0204 now at Nellis and serial number identification for the sixth swapped D-M "Hog"? I would be also very grateful for transfer dates of all twelve aircraft and photos of the former six 66th WPS "Hogs" after their arrival at D-M. If you like to contribute anything please contact me via e-mail (see impressum).
BTW: Don't miss Bruce's impressive photostream on Flickr.
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