Munitions specialists from the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base, La., load an AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile onto an A-10A Thunderbolt II attack aircraft prior to a sortie in support of Operation Desert Storm.
Summary
The original finding aid described this photograph as:
Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM
Country: Unknown
Scene Camera Operator: SGT. Prentes Trambue
Release Status: Released to Public
Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files
The A-10 Thunderbolt has excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. Called the “Warthog” for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the U.S. Air Force’s primary low-altitude close air support aircraft best known for its GAU-8 Avenger 30mm Gatling gun designed to fire armor-piercing depleted uranium and high explosive incendiary rounds. In the 1970s the threat of Soviet armored forces and all-weather attack operations had become more serious. Six companies submitted aircraft proposals, with Northrop and Fairchild-Republic selected to build prototypes: the YA-9A and YA-10A, respectively. General Electric and Philco-Ford were selected to build and test GAU-8 cannon prototypes. First A-10 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force on 30 March 1976. By 1984, 715 airplanes had been built.
- 86 Best Air Force Ground Equipment images in 2020 | Air force, Usaf ...
- 25 Agm65 Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images
- Desert Storm in 25 Photos - Air Force Magazine
- Loaders delight - Pinterest
- 20 Agm 65 Maverick Missle Photos and Premium High Res Pictures ...
- 67 Best History Iraq & Afganistan Wars images | Iraq, War ... - Pinterest
- Aircraft Weapons - Pinterest
- Maverick Missle Stock Pictures, Royalty-free Photos & Images ...
- 25 Agm 65 Maverick Photos and Premium High Res Pictures
- 1021 Best American Military images in 2020 | Military, Military humor ...