A-10s AT SELFRIDGE MAY BE VICTIM OF PENTAGON CUTS

Macomb Daily ^ | February 1, 2012 | Chad Selweski

[where's_the_Outrage?]

As others noted in this thread, most AF hate the A-10 and would love to pawn it off on the Army and/or Marines. However, the receiving service branch also wants the maintenance, force structure, arming and refueling support elements with the equipment, the AF will not give that resource up.

This way the AF can get rid of that hated CAS mission and keep the force/support structure for other areas.

But Kudos the A-10 pilots, they understood it takes the total military to win and willingly supported the ground pounder.

[Joe Boucher]

” Retired USAF Officer with 20 years service “.
Good job sir and Thanks.
Guess you know your bid ness.

[Ax]

Some years ago, I was on leave in Panama, and found myself at the Howard AFB O Club. I learned that it is not a good idea to engage in some serious drinking with Warthog pilots. Those guys are a breed apart.

[equaviator]

More on the story at:

http://www.military.com/news/article/af-eyes-a10s-guard-reserve-in-planned-closures.html

[null and void]

Ah. I assumed you were talking about their government masters.

[C19fan]

But the Air Force wants to replace aging aircraft with the new F-35 fighter

Does the F-35 have a Gatlin gun that spews milk container sized bullets?? No! Does the F-35 have a titanium bathtub protecting the pilot?? No! Does the F-35 have the ability to loiter over the battlefield?? No! Can a F-35 take hits from 23 or 30 mm cannons and keep pounding the enemy and come back home?? No! Pathetic a military history buff knows more that the Air Force brass.

[Springman]

Guess we don’t need A-10s in Michigan, not like the Canadians will be coming across Lake St. Clair. /s

[null and void]

I don’t believe the F-35 can do what the A-10 can do. Those are two different planes with two different purposes.

I don't believe any other aircraft can do what the A-10 can do...

[where's_the_Outrage?]

“Some years ago, I was on leave in Panama, and found myself at the Howard AFB O Club. I learned that it is not a good idea to engage in some serious drinking with Warthog pilots. Those guys are a breed apart.”

Some years before that a certain LT Mulholland (USA, 3/5 INF) Airborne shuffled across that bar (Howard AFB) and stuck his head through the ceiling creating “Mulholland's Hole.” As a COL several of his soldiers had direct benefit from these A-10s during Operational Anaconda in OEF. Believe he has 3 stars now.

[JimRed]

A-10: Ugly as sin, tough as nails, very effective. One of my favorites!

[where's_the_Outrage?]

” I learned that it is not a good idea to engage in some serious drinking with Warthog pilots. Those guys are a breed apart.”

D E A D B U G!!!!!!!

I should have added that to the previous post.

[equaviator]

Bring back the Six Pack!

[equaviator]

Bring back the Six Pack!

[A.A. Cunningham]

No they wouldn’t. The Corps didn’t want the A-10 when they were slated to receive them after Desert Storm and they still don’t want them now.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Warthog is the best at what it was designed to do - support the infantry, close to the ground.

You could attempt to make that argument if you included the caveat - in a low-threat environment.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Super Tucano is not being procured for the Air Force. It is being procured for our “allies”.

[saminfl]

I don’t believe the F-35 can do what the A-10 can do. Those are two different planes with two different purposes.

The A-10 carries 1150 bullets for its GAU-8 30mm gun. The F-35 carries just over 180 bullets. What weapons will the F-35 use for CAS when there are bad guys "just across the road" from our guys?

[A.A. Cunningham]

As confirmed by the Congressional record, prior to Desert Storm, A-10s were slated to be dispersed to the Marine Corps and Army.

[caver]

I see the F-35 has a 25 mm cannon. I figured it had a 20 mm like the F-16

[caver]

The Warthog can take a licking and keep on ticking!