[R. Scott]

The grunts on the ground LOVE the A-10 and want it kept in the inventory for a good long time.

Way back when we preferred to have one A-1 Skyraider over half a dozen Phantoms or F-105s. The old Spad could take a lot of punishment and hang around a long time while the jets had to run it, drop and run home.

[Jack Deth]

I hear ya, R. Scott:

The A-1 Skyraider, or Spad (Single Place AD) was a fantastic COIN (Counter-Interdiction) aircaft. Humungous recip and prop. Hard points from wing tip to wing tip, plus the centerline. 20mm cannons in the wings, instead of .50 calibers. The type of plane that could take abuse all day long and still be forgiving.

The Military is always going to need one, and the A-10 is its direct descendant. A hard-core, robust Bare Base machine.

I know many guys who were A-10 Crew Chiefs during Desert Storm. Once the grunts found out who these guys were, they lacked for nothing!

Jack.