Many times I have seen A-10s doing touch and goes and simply flying in patterns at a local airport, LNS (Lancaster, PA). It is amazing watching those big ugly things doing tight turns and streaking across the skies. I assume they are being flown to keep the pilots certified and well practiced. Not sure where they’re based out of, but they are impressive machines. Some others watching have asked what the Hell they are and I have just said that they’re Warthogs, and I am damned glad they are on our side.
I think there’s a bombing range out at Fort Indiantown Gap. They’ll use regional airports like Lancaster for T&G’s so that the pilots can keep their proficiency up.
I used to live in Brickerville and later over in Northern York County. I used to see the A-10’s swooping over Ski Roundtop. I presumed that they were shooting approaches over at New Cumberland Airport or possibly Harrisburg International where I used to see KC-135’s & Ospreys.
I think they were developed initially as Russian tank-killers.