In the desert the pilots would drift into the dining hall dinner time. The A10 guys would be smiling, telling stories, talking with their hands. The F16 guys, not so much. They were quiet, crabby, nothing much to say. The A10s were rumored to be headed for the boneyard before then, but they were well- used in the Gulf War (to the disappointment of some business minded folks) and beyond.
The A10s used to fly in Once in a while to the local base here, in two ships. They are unmistakable. Ugly and respectable. Regal and humble.
I met a guy once who transitioned from F-16 to A-10’s when the NG air wing got changed.
I asked if it seemed to be a letdown? He told me he loved the A-10 more.
They train at Whiteman, here in Missouri. I wonder how many times I have been a target out in the field with a tractor???