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Hawgsmoke 2008 by Curt Jans
Every two years, the A-10 Thunderbolt II community gathers for a bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition. Known as Hawgsmoke, the competition tests the skills that A-10 pilots employ in the aircraft’s primary role of close air support.
The first Hawgsmoke was organized in 2000, as a successor to the US Air Force (USAF)’s discontinued Gunsmoke weapons meet. Hawgsmoke is a three-day competition strictly for A-10s – more commonly called Warthogs, or simply Hogs. Participating units send a team of four pilots, who are assisted by support and maintenance teams.
Where are All the Airplanes?
Past Hawgsmoke competitions have seen 50 to 70 A-10s taking part, but in early October, less than two weeks before the 2008 competition, the USAF released a time-compliance technical order (TCTO) requiring many A-10s to be immediately inspected for fatigue-related wing cracks. Dozens of Warthogs were grounded for repairs, leaving some units without any spare aircraft to bring to Hawgsmoke.
To salvage the competition, a plan was devised to share the available aircraft among the participating teams and pilots. Concerted efforts by the ground and maintenance teams allowed fourteen teams to participate using only twenty-five A-10s. The attending units included:
- 303rd Fighter Squadron (FS), 442nd Fighter Wing (FW), Whiteman AFB, MO (host team)
- 25th FS, 51st Wing, Osan AB, Korea
- 45th and 47th Fighter Squadrons, 917th Wing, Barksdale AFB, LA
- 66th Weapons Squadron, (the A-10 Fighter Weapons School), 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
- 76th FS, Det. 1, 442nd FW, Moody AFB, GA
- 81st FS, 52nd FW, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany
- 103rd FS, 111th FW, Pennsylvania Air National Guard (ANG), NAS Willow Grove, PA
- 104th FS, 175th Wing, Maryland ANG, Baltimore, MD
- 172nd FS, 110th FW, Michigan ANG, Battle Creek, MI
- 184th FS, 188th FW, Arkansas ANG, Fort Smith, AR
- 190th FS, 124th Wing, Idaho ANG, Boise IAP, ID
- 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV
- Air National Guard / Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, Tuscon, AZ
The Competition and the Range
To accommodate all the Warthogs and personnel without affecting operations at Whiteman AFB, Hawgsmoke was held at Salina Municipal Airport, about 200 miles to the west.
After two days of nearly-constant rain, the clouds parted in the afternoon of the first day, and the balance of the competition was held under sunny skies. Day one, October 15th, was arrivals day. The ground crews were already in place at Salina, and the inbound A-10 teams were judged on their formation flying and on-time arrival.
The first day concluded with a “Lost Hogs” memorial ceremony in the evening to remember those who have fallen. Members of the 303rd Fighter Squadron performed a missing-man flyover.
Day two was the meat of the competition, as the A-10s headed to the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range. Just ten miles west of Salina, the range’s proximity to the airfield was one of the main reasons Salina was selected to as the base for Hawgsmoke. The first planes launched shortly after sunrise, and the cycle continued until sunset. The pilots were judged on time-over-target and accuracy with BDU-33 practice bombs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles (simulated) and the 30-mm GAU-8 cannon.
The third day of the competition was intended as a make-up day in case of poor weather. As conditions had been perfect the previous day, no flying was necessary, but it turned out to be an excellent opportunity for photographers to walk the hot ramp while it was quiet. Day three also included a golf tournament, final conferences among the scoring judges, and the evening awards banquet.
The Winner -- and the Future
The Top Team for Hawgsmoke 2008 was the 190th Fighter Squadron from the 124th Wing, Idaho Air National Guard. With their win, the 190th earned the honor of hosting Hawgsmoke 2010.
For other squadrons, 2008 was almost certainly their last Hawgsmoke. Under the Base Realignment and Closure 2005 plan, or BRAC, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 103rd FS is scheduled for deactivation before the next Hawgsmoke. In addition, the 172nd FS at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, MI is scheduled to transition to the C-27 Joint Cargo Aircraft by 2011. Their A-10s will be moving to the 107th FS at Selfridge ANGB, so perhaps the 107th will make their first appearance at Hawgsmoke 2010.
After the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the A-10 was considered unneeded by some. However, the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism have proven the need for a dependable and effective close air support asset, and the Warthog certainly fits the bill. At the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, UT, the A-10 fleet is receiving a service life extension program (SLEP) which includes new wings when needed. Additional modifications include upgraded cockpit displays, an improved fire control system and precision weapons capability. The upgraded Warthogs are redesignated as A-10Cs. With these programs helping to ensure the A-10 remains an active Air Force and Air Guard asset well beyond 2020, the Hawgsmoke competition should continue for many years to come.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the entire public affairs staff at the 442nd Fighter Wing and the Kansas National Guard for their outstanding support and superb event organization during Hawgsmoke 2008.
