Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

“The Gun…”

Scott Wolff 3 Comments Air Force

For you fans of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, here’s a fantastic look at what makes the Hawg such a unique and highly sought-after asset in theater.

A good friend of mine once told me of a mission he flew in Afghanistan, where the JTAC embedded with a SOF unit got on the radio and simply asked for one thing: help getting some sleep.

Fact: no one opposing our ground forces is a fan of the A-10. As we have noted before, merely the sound of the jet’s high-bypass turbofan engines is enough to make the enemy scatter like cockroaches. They will stop at nothing to find cover when Warthogs are on the prowl and will lay low until the fearsome jets are gone. And when I say lay low, it means finding whatever cave, crevice, or bunker they can find to stay out of sight…knowing full well exposing their position would be the last mistake they ever made.

So this one evening, Tex and his wingman did absolutely nothing but circle the JTAC and his special operations comrades, allowing them to get a few hours of much needed rest. That kind of peace, in the midst of a war zone where you’re surrounded by your foes in terrain equally as formidable and hell-bent on killing you, is something you cannot put a price on.

So to those who are contemplating and pressing forward with your plans to force this aircraft into retirement: consider all of the options available to you and their efficacy in supporting ground troops. We’re not talking about dollars and cents. We’re talking about capability and proven track record of survivability, lethality, and sortie generation rates IN ADDITION to cost effectiveness. Here’s a hint: the F-35, while a very capable aircraft, is not the answer to this particular problem.

Retiring the A-10 is a really bad idea.

Thanks to the Public Affairs Office at the 127 FW for sharing this video with us!

About the Author

Scott Wolff is an accomplished writer and renowned aviation photojournalist. He has held the position of Managing Editor for a print flying lifestyle magazine, and is the Host and Editor for FighterSweep. Scott's area of expertise is military flight operations, drawing on ten years of experience working extensively with all branches of the armed forces. He holds an FAA pilot certificate, the culmination of a life-long passion for flying airplanes. Scott has received military altitude chamber training, emergency egress training, and has logged time in a variety of civilian and military aircraft. He is also a member of the International Society of Aviation Photographers and Nikon Professional Services.

Related Posts

  • Former Air Force pilot instructor explains why there’s just no replacing the A-10 ‘Warthog’Former Air Force pilot instructor explains why there’s just no replacing the A-10 ‘Warthog’
  • The A-10 Video Some Didn’t Want You To SeeThe A-10 Video Some Didn’t Want You To See
  • Let Freedom Ring: The A-10C Thunderbolt IILet Freedom Ring: The A-10C Thunderbolt II
  • What Close Air Support is…and isn’t! (Part One)What Close Air Support is…and isn’t! (Part One)
  • The Warthog Is Spared…Indefinitely!The Warthog Is Spared…Indefinitely!

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • abandoned-f-14-f-4
    May 14, 2017

    Abandoned US Military F-14 and F-4 Found in a Field. Anyone Know How They Got There?

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers