It can fly onto and off unimproved roads, but only if no other airfields are available. Unimproved sufaces take a havy toll on the jet. Not sustainable.
It is a tough jet but not designed for continious off-runway operations. From damage to tires to FOD damage due to kicking up dust and debris, risks are many. It is capable of short-field ops, for sure, but the risks from operating off runway is great and causes much damage.
I’ve flown roughly 1,500hrs in the jet and we all knew we had options other jets did not. We also appreciated operating off an unimproved surface would be last resort because of the risk of damage. And the damge of such operations would require significantly more logistics support than runway ops. . .meaning the jet would be “down” much more often.
Final observation: Jets have theater-wide capabilities. . .they can fly to anywhere in the theater to be employed. Limiting jets to a signel brigade, division or corps would shackle the jet to support only that assigned unit and not be part of a theater-wide air campaign.
Cheers.
My thanks to you for your years in flying the A-10.
I’ve heard the USAF pilots absolutely love flying them.
However, at the Command level, too many USAF senior staff have been vocal in their desire to rid their service of the A-10.
Rather then see it put to pasture, I’d much prefer it to be transferred to the Army.
At this point in time it looks like the A-10 will stay, at least for a few more years in USAF service due to Congressional action rather than the desires of the USAF Generals.