From the archives: Battle-damaged A-10 80-0258 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron caught at Tallil

Known pictures of battle-damaged A-10 80-0258 from the 172nd Fighter Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing (Michigan Air National Guard), Battle Creek, taken at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom's main combat phase:



OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A-10 maintenance members from the 392 Air Expeditionary Wing inspect their aircraft for any additional damages after it was hit by an Iraqi missile in the right engine. The A-10 made it back to the base safely. (U. S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)



Probably a non-official shot. Full size



Probably a non-official shot. Full size



Probably a non-official shot.



A non-official shot, taken on April 11,2003.



A non-official shot, taken April 14, 2003. Note the removed engine nacelle.



Another non-official shot.



U.S. Air Force (USAF) A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft maintenance personnel from the 392nd Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), inspect their aircraft for any additional damage after it was hit by an Iraqi missile in the right engine. (Probably an U.S. Air Force photo) Hi-res Note: That's the best known close-up view!

Note: Anyone who can/will tell me the story behind this battle damage? Additional pictures are also welcommend. I would be very grateful for any support.

From the archives: 23rd Fighter Group A-10s caught at Tallil AB, Iraq, 2003

The following exclusive shots were taken by aviationpictures.nl during OIF's main combat phase at Tallil AB, Iraq, 2003. Already in 2005, I got the photographer's permission to post his pictures.



A-10 79-0141 (marked 23 FG). (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size



A-10 79-0141 (marked 23 FG). (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size



A-10 79-0193 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size



A-10 79-0193 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size



A-10 79-0193 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size



A-10 79-0193 from the 75th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by aviationpictures.nl) Full size

Note: Some more photo info will be uploaded soon.

Logged by the photographer at Tallil at that time were the following 23rd Fighter Group A-10s:

78-0689
79-0139
79-0141 (marked 23rd FG)
79-0189
80-0208
80-0282
82-0661