The A-10 is the U.S. Air Force’s premier close air support aircraft, providing invaluable protection to troops on the ground. The Air Combat Command A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, stationed out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, brings the aircraft to air shows around the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10 “Warthog.” They perform precision aerial maneuvers while highlighting the mission and professionalism of the men and women of the United States Air Force. Additionally, the team brings attention to the U.S. Air Force’s proud history by flying formations with historical aircraft in the Air Force Heritage Flight.
While all members of Davis-Monthan AFB have maintained U.S. Air Force mission of sustaining attack airpower, a select group of Airmen have been preparing for an additional mission; demonstrating the capabilities of the A-10C Thunderbolt II. The A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team will perform demos for the first time in seven years for the 2018 air show season. The A-10 Demo Team originally consisted of two east and west counterparts before both were deactivated in 2011. The team consists of one pilot, one superintendent, a noncommissioned officer-in-charge, three crew chiefs, an avionics systems specialist, aerospace propulsion systems specialist, electrical and environmental systems specialist, and a public affairs specialist.
The US Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II demonstration team is being assigned a new jet ahead of the 2020 airshow season. The “Warthog”, serial 80-0275, has green paint overlapping the standard low-visibility gray scheme on the upper surfaces of the fuselage, engines, wings and horizontal stabilizers, while invasion stripes have been applied on the lower surfaces of the engines and the wings. The engines and wings also sport the same insignia used by the US Army Air Forces until 1947, a few months before the official formation of the US Air Force. The special scheme is said to be inspired by P-51 Mustangs which used the same scheme during World War II.
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, dubbed the “Warthog” for its unglamorous appearance, came into the Air Force inventory in 1975. No one ever thought that it would still be such a valuable asset 35 years later. With upgrades through the years, it’s gained a reputation as one tough, highly maneuverable, low altitude attack aircraft.The Warthog can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles, even flying when hydraulic power is lost. Known as the “tank buster”, the Thunderbolt II has served in many conflicts including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
