Demo team prepares A-10 for show

Released by 23rd Wing Public Affairs



8/23/2011 - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgts. Ryan Ball, A-10 East Demonstration Team avionics specialist, left, and Adam Sunner A-10 East Demonstration Team crew chief, communicate with each other while conducting preventive maintenance on an A-10C Thunderbolt II at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 24, 2011. The maintenance on the A-10 was to prepare it to be flight-ready for their next show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paul Francis)

Note: Pictured is A-10C 81-0967. Unfortunately, the hi-res link only shows half of the picture.

Source (inluding 5 pictures)

Area pilot will fly Warthog at air show

Maj. Matt Clausen will be at the Thunder on the Lakeshore air show Saturday and Sunday at the Manitowoc County Airport. (Submitted photo)

Written by
Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Maj. Matt Clausen, who grew up in Green Bay and graduated from Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, will be at the Thunder on the Lakeshore air show Saturday and Sunday at the Manitowoc County Airport.

Clausen is a 1992 graduate of FVL. He is a pilot/safety observer with the A-10 East Coast demo team based at Moody Air Force Base in southern Georgia, according to a news release.

"It's nice to be back among the friendly people of Northeastern Wisconsin and get that small-town feel again," Clausen said. "People are just so nice."

Clausen has been piloting A-10s since 2002, and has done two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, with plenty of combat missions logged.

Clausen describes the A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog, as the only airplane available for close support of ground forces. While it isn't as fast as other fighter jets, it can remain in the air for up to three hours without refueling, which enables it to loiter in actual or potential combat areas and support our ground forces, Clausen said.

The plane carries a wide variety of armaments, including bombs, missiles and guns, and is a deadly weapon against tanks, troops, and other vehicles on the ground, according to the release.

For more information, visit thunderonthelakeshore.com.

Source

The hands behind the A-10 East Demonstration Team

REPUBLIC AIRPORT, N.Y. -- Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, prepares for flight during an air show May 28. Major Thorpe has been with the team for six months since receiving his certification last November. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter) Hi-res

by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
23rd Wing Public Affairs

6/2/2011 - LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- A crowd of 200,000 people watched on as Maj. Dylan "Habu" Thorpe performed aerial demonstrations that dazzled the crowd and showcased the capabilities of the A-10C Thunderbolt II at the Jones Beach Air Show in Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.

But there's a side of the air show most people don't see, that's the work that goes on behind the scenes. This includes the maintenance, cleaning and narration that the support team provides during the air shows.

"There is a ton of work that goes into an air show other than just the flying," said Staff Sgt. Adam Sunner, A-10 East Demonstration Team crew chief. "Our weeks consist of constant work on the aircraft or training whether we are doing an air show or not."

The demonstration team is made up of two maintenance support teams. One group will attend the air show while the other group stays behind to train and prepare to send planes for the next air show.

"Most people think we have a lot of down time while doing this, but in reality we are always working." said Sergeant Sunner. "But even though its hard work we all volunteered for this and it's something that we love to do."

The crew members of the demonstration team volunteered for the two year position.

Sergeant Sunner is on his second year at the demonstration team and has grown as a crew chief learning more than what he usually would have.

"Working on an aircraft back at the squadron you mainly focus on your job you're not worried about the avionics or the specifics of an engine repair," he said. "But when you only have a four man crew you rely on each other and help each other out when work needs to be done."

Major Thorpe recognized how vital the support they offer is and how none of it would be possible without their commitment.

"When I am up there flying doing all of these maneuvers the last thing I want to be think is something going to go wrong with the aircraft," said Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot. "But these crews are some of the best out there and I have the upmost faith in their abilities."

The team will perform a total of 32 air shows this year visiting cities all over the U.S. showcasing the A-10's capabilities and the power of the Air Force.

Source

A-10 East performs at Air Power over Hampton Roads

Photos released by Joint Base Langley-Eustis Public Affairs



Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team flying officer, showcases the exceptional flying capabilities of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during AirPower over Hampton Roads May 13, 2011. The A-10 has low air-speed maneuverability to loiter near battlefield areas for extended periods of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Racheal Watson) Hi-res







Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team flying officer, performs a tight right turn to demonstrate the maneuverability of an A-10 Thunderbolt II May 13, 2011. Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ Air Power over Hampton Roads open house provides a venue in which the public can see modern and historical military aircraft in action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Racheal Watson) Hi-res







Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team flying officer, performs during the open house with an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 15, 2011. The AirPower over Hampton Roads open house provides a free venue in which the public can see modern and historical military aircraft and civilian performers in action. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Racheal Watson) Hi-res







The U.S. Air Force Heritage flight showcases the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-4 Phantom and the P-51 Mustang during the AirPower over Hampton Roads open house at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 15, 2011. The open house helps to educate the public on past and present Air Force aerial capabilities, increase recruiting and show appreciation to the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Racheal Watson) Hi-res

Note: Pictured is A-10C 81-0967 from the 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia. More pictures will be uploaded soon.

Defenders of Liberty 2011 Air Show

Released by 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs:



A Heritage Flight takes to the air in close formation at the 2011 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 7, 2011. The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight (HF) program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. The air show HF consisted of a P-51 Mustang, an F-4 Phantom II and an A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res






Chris and Christine Van Iderstine check out the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at the 2011 Defenders of Liberty Air Show on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 7, 2011. The Van Iderstines joined thousands of visitors to Barksdale for the air show. Chris is a B-52 mechanic assigned to the 307th Maintenance Squadron. Christine is also an Air Force Reservist at Barksdale assigned to the 917th Fighter Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res





Master Sgt. Jose Limon, a weapons expediter assigned to the 917th Fighter Group, explains the seven-barrel 30mm Gatling gun on an A-10 Thunderbolt II to visitors at the 2011 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 7, 2011. The Warthog as it is affectionately known, has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. Both the 307th Bomb Wing and 917th Fighter Group provided static displays for the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res




Tech. Sgt. Marcus Gandy, a weapons loader with the 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, conducts a briefing about the 30mm gatling gun in an A-10 Thunderbolt II for a group of Boy Scouts from Troop 391, Hawkins, Texas, at the 2011 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 7, 2011. Both the 307th Bomb Wing and 917th Fighter Group provided static displays for the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res






Capt. Ryan Young, a pilot assigned to the A-10 West Demonstration Team, from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, briefs visitors at the 2011 Defenders of Liberty Air Show about the seven-barrel 30mm Gatling gun on an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 7, 2011. Both the 307th Bomb Wing and 917th Fighter Group provided static displays for the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

Source

188th Fighter Wing flagship caught at JB Charleston Air Expo 2011

A-10C 80-0188, the 188th Fighter Wing's flagship. (Photo by Alan Hawes / The Post and Courier) Source

355th Fighter Wing A-10Cs participating in MCAS Yuma Air Show 2011

At Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Bruce Smith from the United States had the opportunity to take the following pictures on March 26, 2011:



A-10C 80-0238 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 80-0278 from the 354th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



A-10C 80-0279 on static display. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size



Marilyn Monroe ladder door art MISCHIEVOUS MARILYN of A-10C 80-0279. (Photo by Bruce Smith) Full size

70th anniversary of the Flying Tigers

Released by 23rd Wing Public Affairs March 22, 2011 (updated with a new headline and new photo captions last night:



Col. Gary Henderson, 23rd Wing commander, and Kevin Eldridge, P-40 demonstration pilot, stand in front of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at the 34th Annual Warbird Airshow March 12. The theme of the airshow was honoring the 70th anniversary of the Flying Tigers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green) Hi-res



A Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is prepared for flight during the at the 34th Annual Warbird Airshow honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Flying Tigers March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green) Hi-res



An A-10C Thunderbolt II is flown by Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, at the 34th Annual Warbird Airshow honoring the 70th anniversary of the Flying Tigers March 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green Hi-res



An A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft flies next to a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at the 34th Annual Warbird Airshow March 12. The theme of the Airshow was honoring the 70th anniversary of the Flying Tigers and was Maj. Dylan Thorpe's first airshow as the A-10 East Demonstration pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green) Hi-res



An A-10C Thunderbolt II flown by Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, has the 23rd Wing displayed on the tail March 12. This was Major Thorpe’s first airshow as the A-10 East Demo Team pilot and the theme for the airshow was honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Flying Tigers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Green) Hi-res

Source

Note: Pictured is A-10C 81-0964. Great shots!

2011 ACC Heritage Conference

Released by 23rd Wing Public Affairs March 22, 2011:



DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- Col. Gary Henderson, 23rd Wing commander, and Kevin Eldridge, P-40 demonstration pilot, stand in front of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at the 2011 Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference March 12. (Contributed photo) Hi-res



DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- A Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is prepared for flight during the at the 2011 Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference March 12. (Contributed photo) Hi-res



DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- An A-10C Thunderbolt II is flown by Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, at the 2011 Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference March 12. (Contributed photo) Hi-res



DAVIS-MONTHAN, Ariz.-- An A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft flies next to a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at the 2011 Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference March 12. (Contributed photo) Hi-res



DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- An A-10C Thunderbolt II flown by Maj. Dylan Thorpe, A-10 East Demonstration Team pilot, has the 23rd Wing displayed on the tail March 12. Major Thorpe flew the aircraft at the 2011 Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference. (Contributed photo) Hi-res

Source

Note: Pictured is A-10C 81-0964. Great shots!

A-10 East Demo Team A-10C arrives at D-M for Heritage Flight Conference 2011

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from the United States had the opportunity to take the following shot:



A-10C 81-0964 from the 23rd Fighter Group, 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia, and assigned to the A-10 East Demo Team, arrives for the Heritage Flight Conference 2011. (Photo by Ned Harris) Full size

Note: The annual Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Conference will be held at D-M 4-7 March, 2011.


Released on 355th Fighter Wing's Facebook site:



A-10C Thunderbolt II from the A-10 East Demo Team out Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. (U.S. Air Force photo)