Coming Soon to a Highway Near Russia — A-10 Warthogs

[DA SWO]

This is my old Guard Wing.

Funny how this is "news" when it was commonplace during the "Cold War".

I read these stories and go back to the Romney-Obama Debates where Obama chided Romney for saying the Russians were an emerging threat.

Too bad Romney's a pussy or he could have defended his position.


Coming Soon to a Highway Near Russia — A-10 Warthogs — War Is Boring

 

[DocIllinois]

From the article:

"As Thomas Gibbons-Neff noted at the Washington Post, joint terminal attack controllers — or JTACs — guided the Warthogs to the highway after the planes completed a ground-attack exercise. JTACs are a crucial element of an air strike, helping guide an attacking plane toward targets (which may not be visible to the pilot) on the ground."

See, @CDG , you guys do get the sexy attention sometimes.

The author of the Post article even called you soldiers... :-"

 

[DA SWO]

From the article:

"As Thomas Gibbons-Neff noted at the Washington Post, joint terminal attack controllers — or JTACs — guided the Warthogs to the highway after the planes completed a ground-attack exercise. JTACs are a crucial element of an air strike, helping guide an attacking plane toward targets (which may not be visible to the pilot) on the ground."

See, @CDG , you guys do get the sexy attention sometimes.

The author of the Post article even called you soldiers... :-"

It's better, the JTAC's are Combat Controllers from Hurlburt Field.

 

[SmokinOkie]

Couple of my good buddies were out there as well. Good stuff.

 

[Red Flag 1]

I'm not sure how many know this, but when Gen Eisenhower was a young Capt, he was assigned the task of driving from Atlantic to Pacific; I think it was circa 1925. During WW II, Hitler had built the Autobahn highway system for the main purpose of moving men and equipment during WW II, and to serve as landing strips for use by the Luftwaffe; fighters in particular. Hahn AFB in Germany was one such base. It served as a German fighter base, with no runway, they used the highway, Rte 327. It was one of the few to have never been found until after the war was over. Some of the original earth covered hangers were still there, and in use.

Jump ahead to "I Like Ike", and Ike became POTUS. He began what today is our Interstate Highway system. It was, and is a godsend for interstate travel, but the real reason Ike began the project was, 1.) The troubles he had in his circa 1925 coast to coast trip, and 2.) To copy Hitler's plan for moving military assets quickly in CONUS, including landing strips if necessary. So the next time you run into one of those pesky military convoys on the Interstate, they have priority.

 

[AWP]

"This week A-10 'Warthogs' used a little known capability: operating from a highway. This unique tool will only be available for another 2-3 years before the F-35 pushes it aside using a more widely known tactic: bullshit politics. Reporting from your mom's house, I'm Freefalling with the Shadowspear News Network."

 

[DocIllinois]

I'm not sure how many know this, but when Gen Eisenhower was a young Capt, he was assigned the task of driving from Atlantic to Pacific; I think it was circa 1925. During WW II, Hitler had built the Autobahn highway system for the main purpose of moving men and equipment during WW II, and to serve as landing strips for use by the Luftwaffe; fighters in particular. Hahn AFB in Germany was one such base. It served as a German fighter base, with no runway, they used the highway, Rte 327. It was one of the few to have never been found until after the war was over. Some of the original earth covered hangers were still there, and in use.

Jump ahead to "I Like Ike", and Ike became POTUS. He began what today is our Interstate Highway system. It was, and is a godsend for interstate travel, but the real reason Ike began the project was, 1.) The troubles he had in his circa 1925 coast to coast trip, and 2.) To copy Hitler's plan for moving military assets quickly in CONUS, including landing strips if necessary. So the next time you run into one of those pesky military convoys on the Interstate, they have priority.

The construction and maintenance assistance of the section of this system from Galesburg to Monmouth, IL kept one of my uncles and his sons in part time employment until quite recently.

That uncle's father met the Motor Transport Corps Convoy when they came through northern Illinois, to include Observer Eisenhower and the 'motorized army buggies.'

When the convoy asked "How much of Illinois roads are unpaved?", my great uncle and friends answered "All of them outside Chicago!" This still holds true in some rural areas of the state.

 

[Red Flag 1]

"This week A-10 'Warthogs' used a little known capability: operating from a highway. This unique tool will only be available for another 2-3 years before the F-35 pushes it aside using a more widely known tactic: bullshit politics. Reporting from your mom's house, I'm Freefalling with the Shadowspear News Network."

I'm not sure if the new F-35, the platform to meet all needs, will protect it's pilot, or take the kind of hits an A-10 can and still make it home.

 

[AWP]

I'm not sure if the new F-35, the platform to meet all needs, will protect it's pilot, or take the kind of hits an A-10 can and still make it home.

I'd be surprised if it ever flew from a highway minus the odd publicity stunt here and there. Some high time test pilot or IP under VERY controlled circumstances for good PR. "See? The F-35 can do everything the A-10 can do but better!"

 

[TLDR20]

"This week A-10 'Warthogs' used a little known capability: operating from a highway. This unique tool will only be available for another 2-3 years before the F-35 pushes it aside using a more widely known tactic: bullshit politics. Reporting from your mom's house, I'm Freefalling with the Shadowspear News Network."

Im pretty sure the VTOL F-35 will be able to land wherever the politics allow.

 

[AWP]

Im pretty sure the VTOL F-35 will be able to land wherever the politics allow.

Which is great except the Air Force won't own any more of those than the Marines own A-10's.

 

[CDG]

Im pretty sure the VTOL F-35 will be able to land wherever the politics allow.

And wherever they have access to the large amounts of fuel needed to support VTOL ops, in addition to the tanker tracks needed to support a vul time of longer than 25 or 30 minutes.

 

[TLDR20]

And wherever they have access to the large amounts of fuel needed to support VTOL ops, in addition to the tanker tracks needed to support a vul time of longer than 25 or 30 minutes.

I guess you weren't picking up my sarcasm

 

[SpongeBob*24]

This is awesome, I thought it would be a little more secretive but still legit...well done to all involved!

Side note....I'd like to see a True Lies II made, using the F-35 instead of AV-8.....and Eliza Dushku is the secret agent now flying it....and the whole movie is the ending scene from True Lies I....

 

[Gunz]

Well done Michigan ANG.