358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft sit on the flightline at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alonso Gudino, a crew chief assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, climbs up an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during pre-flight checks prior to a local flying mission at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), wind corrected munitions dispenser (WCMD), AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hodges, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron, climbs into his aircraft during a local flying mission at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alonso Gudino, a crew chief assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, awaits pilot's signals to taxi out of the parkway during pre-flight checks at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from austere bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. Avionics equipment includes multi-band communications; global positioning system and inertial navigations systems; infrared and electronic countermeasures against air-to-air and air-to-surface threats. Also, it has a heads-up display to display flight and weapons delivery information.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Terry Reece, a crew chief assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, visually inspects tires during pre-flight checks prior to a local training mission at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Terry Reece, a crew chief assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron, stands on the side of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft while securing the pilot in the cockpit during pre-flight checks at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

U.S. Air Force Major Rox Kirkendall, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 303rd Fighter Squadron, sits in the cockpit prior to a local flying mission at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 14, 2017. The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

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358th FS crew chiefs maintain KC Hawgs

Published Feb. 17, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Andy M. Kin
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), wind corrected munitions dispenser (WCMD), AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks