Hawgsmoke 2006 by André Jans

Although considered slow and poorly equipped by some of the Mach 2 jet operators, the A-10A Warthog earned its place in military aviation history with pride. It’s still one of the backbones for the US military aircraft inventory with no end in sight for its service life. The first flight took place some 31 years ago when airframe 73-1164 took off from US soil. Military duty started a year later at Edwards AFB, flying test programs in preparation for operational duty.

After the Vietnam War, it was proven that close air support (CAS) provided by fixed wing aircraft was a necessary asset in air combat. Although (combat) helicopters took over many of these tasks, they had their limitations considering endurance, armament capacity and survivability. At the same time, the Cold War in Europe reached its peak when the Russian Red Army started positioning the new T-72 and T-80 tanks at forward operating locations in Eastern Germany. Their presence required a new aircraft which would be able to destroy this threat at low level with a maximum chance of survival. The new aircraft should also be sturdy enough to operate from forward operating locations and therefore require a minimum of high tech systems enabling easy maintenance and flight operations. As a result of these requirements the A-10 was developed. And a sturdy and reliable plane the A-10 proved to be.

Titanium was used to build a protection “tub” around the cockpit, securing the pilot, while the same metal was used to enforce ammunition used by the Warthog’s main weapon system, the GAU-8 30mm (7 barrel) gun. Besides this powerful gun, the A-10A was and is able to carry a wide variety of armament, including ‘dumb’ bombs like, the mk.82 and 84, and more smart systems like the AGM-65 Maverick guided missiles and later on even laser guided munitions.

Post Cold War statements by former Warsaw Pact military leaders expressed that they were so frightened of this new aircraft that the primary job for their fighter aircraft would have been chasing the A-10A, especially if it had come to a military conflict in Europe.

By the late eighties when the Cold War had ended, the A-10 was considered obsolete by certain parties. Although never tested in battle over Europe, it proved to be a very reliable weapon system during The Gulf War in 1990. The Middle East is a harsh environment for any aircraft due to high temperatures and geography, the A-10Agrew remarkable well into the role of main CAS aircraft during this conflict.

Later on the A-10A Warthog saw action over Bosnia and Kosovo between 1995 and 1999. After the 9-11 attacks, the A-10A once again was called to duty to hunt for hostile elements during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. The local climate and geographic circumstances were extremely tough in Afghanistan, limiting helicopter operations, yet the Warthog just felt ‘at home’ again.

Most recent Warthog combat operations include missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), taking over roles from the AH-64 combat helicopter which was not completely ready for the conditions of desert warfare, resulting in a high number of losses. Although sometimes beaten badly by hostile ground fire, extreme temperatures and sand storms, all A-10’s in service were able to support ground troops everywhere (Actually, it’s the sole USAF aircraft which is loved as well by USMC infantry) and returning safely to their forward operating locations afterwards.

The Warthog (or Hog for insiders) community is very unique. Largely formed during combat operations in the field on forward located airstrips where pilots and crew live and operate close together, resulting in close ties and short command chains. This serving under difficult circumstances in a small operational group creates friendships for life. This comradeship is the main key of the current and past Hawgsmoke exercises which took place now for the 4th time in its existence.

Hawgsmoke is a small competition which allows every A-10 unit to send in a team of four aircraft. Each squadron arrival is judged on timeliness and formation landing. Later during the first day of the competition, a moment of silence is observed to remember fallen comrades, accompanied by a fly by of Hogs in the missing man formation. At the 2006 competition this ceremony was witnessed by Lt. General Glen W. “Wally” Moorhead III (current Commander 16AF, USAFE) who was actually a Captain when bringing in the first A-10A at Davis Monthan some 30 years ago.

The 2nd day of competition is used to test bombing and gun strafing skills at the nearby Barry Goldwater Range. The final event of the competition is a golf tournament on the 3rd day.

The 303rd Fighter Squadron from Whiteman AFB was the overall winner of the competition and will be hosting the next event in 2008.

The future for the A-10 Warthog does indeed look bright. Right now tests are underway at Eglin AFB for an upgrade program. This will result in upgrading most of the A-10A airframes to C models. This upgrade mainly includes internal airframe and cockpit improvements. Other recent improvements were the implementation of the new Litening II targeting pods, offering the Hog a better way of operating during bad weather or other difficult situations. 2 Upgraded A-10C’s from Eglin AFB were present during Hawgsmoke but did not participate in the competition.

The recent BRAC lists show that the A-10 community will have to move around some units like aircraft leaving from Eilson AFB, AK and Pope AFB, NC in 2007. These units will be repositioned to Moody, GA, Fort Smith, AR and Barksdale, LA. Sole victim up till now was the 706th Fighter squadron which recently disbanded (15 March, 2006). A situation which was accelerated due to the fact that their home base JRB New Orleans was beaten up badly by hurricane Katrina and repairs were considered too expensive.

Acknowledgements:
Lt.Col. Jeff “Grass” Gingrass (355 TRS/DOA), Capt. Dejon M. Redd and SSgt Tammie Moore (both 355WG/PAO)

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