USAF 23rd TFW, 74th TFS Flying Tigers, England AFB, LA, 1989
Limited Edition

Designed specially for the close air support mission and with the ability to combine large military loads, long loiter and wide combat radius, the A-10 proved to be vital assets to America and its allies during Operation Desert Storm. In the Gulf War, A-10s, with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles. A-10s were seldom grounded due to maintenance problems or conditions unsuitable for flying during Operation Desert Storm. No other aircraft could carry as much ordnance over a target for so long, dole out and take as much punishment, and return to an unimproved field to turn around quickly and strike at an enemy again.

Designed as a counter-insurgency aircraft for the Vietnam conflict, the A-10 was first flown in 1972. Nicknamed "Warthog," the A-10 was the first Air Force aircraft designed for close air support of ground forces. With 30mm Gatling guns that can fire 3,900 rounds a minute, the Warthog can defeat an array of ground targets, including armored vehicles. It can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time, maneuver at low air speeds and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings. The Warthog’s low wing and tail and turbo-fan engines—each with a static thrust rating of 9000 pounds—make it suitable for deployment at advanced bases.