Wheels Up With The Legendary A-10

In 1975, the U.S. military faced a conundrum: how to efficiently move a 620-lb, seven-barreled 30mm gatling gun – and its eight-ton payload – to support ground troops. There was only one answer: build a plane around it. As a result, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka, “Warthog”) was born. One of the Warthog’s primary objectives was moving General Dynamic’s hydraulically powered gatling gun, the GAU-8/A, into and out of combat quickly. Another objective: the plane’s construction must ensure the pilot’s survival. Since its inaugural flight, the Warthog has met – and exceeded – expectations, participating in combat operations around the globe.

In 1975, the U.S. military faced a conundrum: how to efficiently move a 620-lb, seven-barreled 30mm gatling gun – and its eight-ton payload – to support ground troops. There was only one answer: build a plane around it. As a result, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka, “Warthog”) was born. One of the Warthog’s primary objectives was moving General Dynamic’s hydraulically powered gatling gun, the GAU-8/A, into and out of combat quickly. Another objective: the plane’s construction must ensure the pilot’s survival. Since its inaugural flight, the Warthog has met – and exceeded – expectations, participating in combat operations around the globe.

Its primary mission is providing ground forces with Close Air Support, and the A-10 can carry a mix of up to 16,000 pounds of rockets, bombs, and missiles. This loadout and the jet’s long time on station have meant that the Warthog has provided an umbrella of safety to friendly forces for decades in situations where air superiority existed. Capable of austere landings and operating low and slow with deadly results, the A-10 can find itself in the sights of many enemies. To counter threats, the pilot and the plane’s vital systems are protected by a titanium bathtub that protects from enemy fire, including rounds up to 23mm in size (the standard ammunition of former Soviet Union anti-aircraft guns).

Its primary mission is providing ground forces with Close Air Support, and the A-10 can carry a mix of up to 16,000 pounds of rockets, bombs, and missiles. This loadout and the jet’s long time on station have meant that the Warthog has provided an umbrella of safety to friendly forces for decades in situations where air superiority existed. Capable of austere landings and operating low and slow with deadly results, the A-10 can find itself in the sights of many enemies. To counter threats, the pilot and the plane’s vital systems are protected by a titanium bathtub that protects from enemy fire, including rounds up to 23mm in size (the standard ammunition of former Soviet Union anti-aircraft guns).

Matching the “cool” factor of the A-10 are the pilots who fly it. The Air Combat Command A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team operates out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona – where the first A-10 was delivered in October, 1975. At an air show in southern Texas, we caught up with Major Haden “Gator” Fullam, the Air Combat Command’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team’s Commander and pilot from November, 2020 until December of 2022. Demo Team Pilots and Commanders provide operational oversight and leadership, and they fly the combat-capabilities demonstration at more than 20 events each year. He recently passed the leadership duties to Captain Lindsay M. “MAD” Johnson, who now pilots the A-10 and commands the Demo Team.

Matching the “cool” factor of the A-10 are the pilots who fly it. The Air Combat Command A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team operates out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona – where the first A-10 was delivered in October, 1975. At an air show in southern Texas, we caught up with Major Haden “Gator” Fullam, the Air Combat Command’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team’s Commander and pilot from November, 2020 until December of 2022. Demo Team Pilots and Commanders provide operational oversight and leadership, and they fly the combat-capabilities demonstration at more than 20 events each year. He recently passed the leadership duties to Captain Lindsay M. “MAD” Johnson, who now pilots the A-10 and commands the Demo Team.

So, what exactly is the Air Combat Command’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, and what’s the team’s objective? The 10-member team consists of a pilot, a superintendent, a noncommissioned officer, three crew chiefs, an avionics-systems specialist, an electrical technician, an environmental technician, an engine specialist, and a public-affairs specialist. The Team’s mission: “Bringing the aircraft to air shows around the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10.” In other words, they represent the Air Force in a professional manner while performing precision aerial maneuvers to entice possible future USAF recruits.

So, what exactly is the Air Combat Command’s A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, and what’s the team’s objective? The 10-member team consists of a pilot, a superintendent, a noncommissioned officer, three crew chiefs, an avionics-systems specialist, an electrical technician, an environmental technician, an engine specialist, and a public-affairs specialist. The Team’s mission: “Bringing the aircraft to air shows around the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10.” In other words, they represent the Air Force in a professional manner while performing precision aerial maneuvers to entice possible future USAF recruits.

While the Team’s mission is recruitment, the appeal of the A-10 isn’t just its recruiting power. Warplanes as a whole instill a sense of reverence and awe in those who appreciate feats of mechanical greatness and their influence on the battlefield. And their firepower.

Although the plane’s career is sunsetting after a half-century of service, the A-10’s capabilities in battle have cemented it as one of the most respected combat aircraft ever created. For now, the Air Combat Command A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team continues to showcase its power all over the USA.

And it all started with a gun…

While the Team’s mission is recruitment, the appeal of the A-10 isn’t just its recruiting power. Warplanes as a whole instill a sense of reverence and awe in those who appreciate feats of mechanical greatness and their influence on the battlefield. And their firepower.

Although the plane’s career is sunsetting after a half-century of service, the A-10’s capabilities in battle have cemented it as one of the most respected combat aircraft ever created. For now, the Air Combat Command A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team continues to showcase its power all over the USA.

And it all started with a gun…

Get The Gear

Other Stories Like This