The Hog That Saves the Grunts [A-10s To Be Decommissioned?]

The New York Times ^ | May 27, 2003 | Robert Coram

[AF_Blue]

A terrible shame if this happens. I was assigned to an A-10 squadron after Gulf War I. The most common "I Love Me" pictures I saw were of pilots with their arm wrapped lovingly around the cannon of the badly damaged Warthog that got them safely home. Sierra On-Line released a "A-10 Tank Killer" computer game about 10 years ago. The best part of it was the A-10 history that took up about half the manual.

[Conspiracy Guy]

When I was there Aug 73-May 76 we used to hunt tornadoes on week ends. I've seen the video, kind of scary. I was in communications but our building like most everything else at McConnell was right on the flightline. Flyoffs were frequent because of the range and McConnell's huge runway.

[Jonah Hex]

I once saw a 'hawg with the stenciled message:

Ugly, But Well Hung

Now that's attitude!

[Kozak]

Perhaps the Army can get a friend in the Congress to transfer all the A-10's and A-10 support equipment to the Army

That would be a violation of the Interservice Agreement between the Army and Air Force. In it the Army agreed not to get involved in fixed wing aviation ( with rare exception) and the Air Force agreed not to do rotary wing ( ditto). I know, I know it's stupid of the air force to try and get rid of the A 10's. What congress COULD do is mate spending for the Air Force's hot projects like the F-22 Raptor to continued deployment of the A-10.

[Saturnalia]

Oh god, are there STILL supporters of the A-16 idea out there?
Let the USAF decommission the A-10 and promptly give the squadrons to the Army.
At least they have proper appreciation for CAS.

[uncbuck]

Where do I buy mine?

[Charles Martel]

Yes its illusionary to wish for, but the Hogs need to be transferred to an Army Air-Corp.

That would certainly make the Air Force scream. However, they discarded the old name, so "U.S. Army Air Corps." is the logical name for Army aviation. This might be a good time to float the idea, too - "retro" is "in".

An updated version of the A-10 might be something to consider, but the F-35 ain't it. The designers can look at all the battle damage data from the two Gulf Wars and correct any weaknesses exposed by that enemy fire. While they're at it, make the new version with a 2-up cockpit, like the F-15E Strike Eagle. Let the pilot concentrate on flying and engaging the enemy with the gun, while the co-pilot (both should have full flight controls and instruments) handles the other weapons systems and anti-SAM countermeasures.

Such a 2-place design would make the aircraft even more lethal and better able to survive in the hostile environment that is close air support.

[Teacher317]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

[AbsoluteJustice]

Isn't that the damned truth. We still utilize equipment from the Korean War and make it work!!!! The Air Force is supposed to be the smartest branch out there?? FIGURE IT OUT!!!!!

[Kozak]

An understatement along the lines of saying Stainman had problems with the truth. It packs the GAU-8 Avenger, the most powerful gun ever put on an airplane. It fires depleted uranium shells too, which further annoys lefties. Another reason to keep it active. >:)

By the way that GAU 8 is available as a pod mounted armament as well. My F-4 squadron used to mount one on the centerline hard point. At the range we would be hosing both 30 and 20 mm DU shells. In Fact there are pictures of an F-4 with 3 of the Gau 8 pods mounted, one on the center and one on each wing. Rumor has it that when THAT combo fired the crew could feel the plane DECELERATE from all the reaction mass hosing out of the front. THAT would be one mean tank buster!

[The Wizard]

the A-10 will be moved to the Marines, they'll never give it up

[where's_the_Outrage?]

After the war, the Army told the AF that is they dropped the A-10s the Army would seek to take them over and operate them themselves. This caused the AF to reconsider (Wimp Out).

The AF was more than willing to give the Hog to the Army, the problem came when the Army demanded the Force structure (manning), Maintenace, and support structure to go along with the planes. If it would have just been the planes (w/o pilot), it probably would have been a done deal.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

While they are at it they should give the AC-130 attack craft (Specter) to the army also

The AF may own the AC-130, but it doesn't control them. They are controlled by the Special Operations Command (SOCCOM). So it wouldn't matter if the Army got them.

[AdA$tra]

I expect the same thing to happen again.

Me too. Occasionally common sense does prevail. The plane is simply too practical to be disposed of. The Marines keep doing the same thing with their AH-1 Cobras. "They are too old we have to get rid of them.....but they work great so let's keep 'em."

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

I think you'll start seeing UAV close air support. We don't much like POWs and although hogs can take a licking they're still subject to shoulder fired AA.

[RicocheT]

I saw an A-10 doing a full acrobatic routine over the lakefront in Milwaukee last summer. The plane and its pilot were awesome. I had no idea that aircraft was so maneuverable. It was doing acrobatics I thought only the Blue Angles could do. The AF is nuts if it mothballs the A-10.

[Enterprise]

I agree. I have never thought it was an ugly plane.

[68 grunt]

Perhaps the Army can get a friend in the Congress to transfer all the A-10's and A-10 support equipment to the Army.I was going to suggest the same about the Marine Corps. That's where they belong. Air Force dudes ain't got the same grunt mentality as the grunt services.

[Feckless]

I always like the A-10. Old, ugly, and slow (like me, but with wings) it sure has been a workhorse and quite a success for a plane that was supposedly obsolete before it left the drawing board.

I fell in love with it during the battle of Al Khafji and the aftermath, as it saved many allied lives, most likely including mine.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Wow, you saw an A-10 do aerobatic manuevers that you didn't know were possible. Now you make the assertion that the AF is nuts if it mothballs the A-10. You sound like a real expert on the subject.