Posted on 12/09/2014 9:00:06 AM PST by bkopto
The A-10 fighter jet, designed to kill Soviet tanks in Europe, made its reputation instead in America's Middle East wars. Now it's back in the region while its advocates fight off the Air Force's attempts to kill it.
A-10s from the Indiana National Guard arrived from Afghanistan last month at an air base in southwest Asia, where they will be used for missions against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Air Force officials said.
The plane, affectionately nicknamed the Warthog, is slow and ugly compared with the Air Force's other fighter jets, especially the stealthy, supersonic F-35 that is scheduled to replace it. But it's also heavily armed and armored, making it a deadly weapon in close-in combat against enemy ground forces and a welcome sight for friendly troops.
The Air Force says the A-10 is too old and not versatile enough to keep flying in a tight budget environment. Getting rid of the A-10 would save $4.2 billion over five years, the best value with the least loss of aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welch told the House Armed Services Committee in March.
But Senate and House negotiators agreed Dec. 2 to keep it flying at least through the end of fiscal 2015, forbidding the Air Force from taking it out of service.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
**(Would you believe, many flown by non-commissioned officers? Disgusting.)**
Are you sure?
I think you are confusing helicopters with UAVs.
Most Army Helicopters are flown by Warrant Officers.
For your information, the A-10 at Ft. Hood is displayed in front of the 712th ASOC, right next door to the 11th ASOS and the 9th ASOS. All US Air Force units.
The A-10 would be a perfect addition to Army Aviation. I could see a good spot for “Marines” on the A-10 as well.
I was thinking the fixed investments required. New test stands, a lot more hangars and maintenance FACILITIES. Entire new maintenance SCHOOLS
Personnel are relatively easy and cheap, compared to logistics and facilities. . .
To make it more like the F-117?
If you recall the F-22 went through an iteration where it was an F/A-22 but the fighter mafia fixed that.
A Warrant Officer is not a commissioned officer. Neither is he an enlisted man. They are "neither flesh,nor fowl, nor good red meat." Manny chopper jocks are warrant officers. The USAF and the NAVY believe that in order to operate a flying machine, one ought to be commissioned, i.e., "an officer and a gentleman."
xks.com/i-7081382-co-37497-discontinued-to-fuel-cooler-late-xj6-s1-ac
True.
But when you say non-commissioned officer it implies Corporals and Sergeants, not Warrants.
Like my dad used to say, you only have to salute a Warrant once a day.
Like others say, a Warrant is an NCO with an O-Club membership.
And that takes me to my favorite joke, what are the 5 most dangerous things you can hear in the Army?
1. A private who says “This is the way we did it in Basic.”
2. A Sergeant who says “Trust me on this on Sir.”
3. A LT who says “Well based on my experience....”
4. A Captain who says “Hey! I have a great idea!”
And
5. A Warrant who says “HEY! Watch what happens when I do this!”
And if not both, at least the former.
Stop bringing up John McAnus!
bttt
I loved the A-4. Had a neighbor, a Navy pilot, who flew it, and wanted to do so myself after the AD was retired. Not to be; wound up in a helicopter, and never looked back.
I couldn’t believe the dimuitive size of the cockpit. You don’t get into an A-4, you put it on. Makes the F-16 office seem huge
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