A-10C Thunderbolt II makes a comeback

[Hastur]

The Warthog is back. Loved by many and dismissed by others. Some say it's ugly while others fall for its rugged utilitarian design.

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/262893/in ... gn-expands

Increased Aircraft and Airmen Arrive in Afghanistan United States and Afghan Air Campaign Expands
AFGHANISTAN
01.23.2018
Story by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Parkinson
U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – United States Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A) and Afghan National Defense and Security Force’s (ANDSF) air campaign against the Taliban was bolstered with the arrival of a squadron of A-10C Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, Jan. 19

Commonly known as the Warthog, the A-10’s return to Afghanistan supports the increased need for close air support and precision strike capacity for a variety of efforts, including the strategic air campaign targeting Taliban revenue sources and counter- terrorism operations that continue to take place. These operations will also be supported by the placement of additional aircraft at Kandahar Airfield, including MQ-9 Reapers that provide armed over-watch and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of the battlefield, and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, to conduct personnel recovery and search and rescue.

...........

EDIT: I posted this b.c. I thought it had been retired. Further investigation revealed that the retirement was canceled so this wasn't quite the surprise I thought. Nice to see the old tub still has a job.

[Alexander PhiAlipson]

The thought of those tough old birds flying NOE over the Fulda Gap against the Machines of the Warsaw Pact in some silly miniatures game makes me feel all warm and squishy inside. I thought they were retired, too.

[Hastur]

Fond memories:

[C-Mag]

[Speaker to Animals]

I don't understand why the USAF has to be stuck with this fucking thing. Shouldn't CAS be the Army's problem?

[The Conservative]

Flying in an A-10 is on my bucket list.

[C-Mag]

I don't understand why the USAF has to be stuck with this fucking thing. Shouldn't CAS be the Army's problem?

They had that arm wrestling match in the 80s and it was completely solved by the early 90s. The Air Force went all in on CAS after we whipped the Soviet Empire into submission. Air Force demanded to take over all CAS. With the future of Strategic ICBMs in doubt, the Air Force needed to expand their mission to maintain their importance.

I know, because it boned me personally. I was a forward Airial Observer, Fucking took my job and handed it to the PJs. Then they stuck my ass behind a Bradley Gun.............. which worked out fine. But when you are a young guy, being light and parachuting into forward areas as a 2 man team is pretty hardcore, Bull of the Woods shit.

[clubgop]

I don't understand why the USAF has to be stuck with this fucking thing. Shouldn't CAS be the Army's problem?

If I had anything to say about it, I 'd take it.

[clubgop]

I don't understand why the USAF has to be stuck with this fucking thing. Shouldn't CAS be the Army's problem?

They had that arm wrestling match in the 80s and it was completely solved by the early 90s. The Air Force went all in on CAS after we whipped the Soviet Empire into submission. Air Force demanded to take over all CAS. With the future of Strategic ICBMs in doubt, the Air Force needed to expand their mission to maintain their importance.

I know, because it boned me personally. I was a forward Airial Observer, Fucking took my job and handed it to the PJs. Then they stuck my ass behind a Bradley Gun.............. which worked out fine. But when you are a young guy, being light and parachuting into forward areas as a 2 man team is pretty hardcore, Bull of the Woods shit.

See all the Army dudes love the thing. It's old, no frills, gets the job done piece of machinery. If it aint broke don't fix it.

[The Conservative]

One of my favorite backgrounds.