A-10 Thunderbolts demonstrates phenomenal ability to use unpaved strips

The legendary Warthog, or A-10 Thunderbolt II, demonstrates its phenomenal ability to use an unpaved landing strip during exercises at the National Training Center on June 5, 2019.

According to a news release put out by the U.S. Air National Guard, Pilots from the 124th Fighter Wing out of Boise, Idaho, perform flight exercises in two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the National Training Center June 5, 2019.

The Idaho Air Force National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing is supporting the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s rotation at the National Training Center.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is completing National Training Center Rotation 19-08, a 29-day training event, which includes more than 4,000 service members comprised of units from 13 states and territories. The training simulates the modern day battlefield to train the U.S. military for global operations.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform.

The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines.

Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Allmaras
Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Allmaras
Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Allmaras
Photo by Pfc. Bailey Breving

Readers who wish to follow our weekly coverage can subscribe to the Weekly Defense Roundup.

If you wish to report a grammatical or factual error in this article, please let us know by using the online form.

Executive Editor
  • In this story
  • USA

Support The Defence Blog

Independent reporting takes resources. Join us on Patreon.

Become a patron

More Like This

U.S. Navy awards $418 million contract to dismantle its first nuclear carrier

The world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is finally getting torn apart, and this time the Navy is paying more than $118 million less than...

Taiwan ATACMS deal expands island’s long-range strike power

The U.S. Army handed Lockheed Martin roughly $439 million to begin building the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, along with the launcher...

Chinese firm publishes satellite images of US Typhon missile system in Japan

MizarVision, a Chinese satellite imagery firm, released additional overhead images showing what it identified as elements of the U.S. Army's Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile...

U.S. Air Force wants 16,450 more long-range missiles, and fast

The U.S. Air Force has told its biggest missile maker to build thousands more long-range weapons than it planned even a week ago, and...

Saudi Arabia cleared to buy 20,000 laser-guided rockets

The U.S. State Department approved a possible arms sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia worth an estimated $1.96 billion, covering up to 10,000...