25th FS "Assam Draggins", 51st FW @ Osan AB, ROK.
25th FS A-10s
Posted on 03/16/2010 8:27:33 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
South Korea — The Air Force’s ground-attack airplane in South Korea is being replaced with an upgraded version that can strike targets with state-of-the-art satellite-guided smart bombs, officials said Monday.
The 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base currently flies the A-10A Thunderbolt II, known as the Warthog.
It received its first three C-models with smarter weapons capability earlier this month, with more to come at an undisclosed future date.
The squadron is known as the Assam Draggins and has 30 aircraft.
The A-model Warthog can launch high-tech laser-guided bombs and other munitions, but not the more advanced satellite-guided JDAM — or joint direct attack munition — that C-models can. The newer version started entering the Air Force inventory in 2007.
“As ‘Hog drivers,’ the 25th Fighter Squadron, we never forget about that grunt on the ground, that 18-year-old soldier on the ground who might need us to get him out of a pinch,” said Air Force Capt. Matthew Kaercher, an A-10 pilot.
“We’re excited that … we’ve got increased ability to provide that support.”
Besides the ability to launch JDAMs, the C-model is fitted with new electronics gear that allows pilots to receive key targeting and other data digitally.
That can help them get vital information earlier in the mission and can shorten the “kill chain” — the time that elapses from takeoff to the striking of the target, Kaercher said.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
Honestly? If I could fly one kite, I think this is the one I like
Noop
No one said it was easy. It’s a capable craft.
I have seen it at work
That’s sort of a shame that they don’t build them anymore. That’s what I heard, anyway. Seem to be one of the most useful aircraft of our inventory. Maybe the ones that we have left will have a lifespan similar to the B-52’s. They seem tough enough.
An easy airplane to fly. You can’t wear your oxygen mask hooked up because you are grinning all the time.
I think this this would be A joy to fly from the simple angle of flying
The 25 FS was in the Assam province of India during WWII. Thus, the Assam Draggins nickname. They were in Suwon, Korea during the Korean War, so it was a homecoming for them to be based again in Suwon at first in 1982. Consolidation later caused them to move 5 miles south to the Osan Air Base.
Is it too fast? Is it poorly armored?
25th FS "Assam Draggins", 51st FW @ Osan AB, ROK.
25th FS A-10s
The A-10 is specifically designed as a tank buster from its ability to lotier on the battlefield, carry tons of monitions, ability to take a beating and of course the huge tank busting gatling gun. The F-35 falls short on all these criteria. The USAF is trying to use a high performance jet to do dirty work and that never worked. It cannot carry the same amount of arms, it cannot take the punishment and it does not have the gun. This is like Vietnam where the USAF had to bring back the prop driven A-1 skyraider because the fancy jets were not up to the job of ground support.
You mean the A-10 has the durability and versatility of a P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-35 the durability and versatility of a Bf 109?
Yep. People have compared the F-35 to the Vietnam era Thunderchief, aka the THUD.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.