Close Air Support training at the Nevada Test and Training Range

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II with the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., fires its 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger Gatling cannon during close air support training mission Sept. 23, 2011, over the Nevada Test and Training Range. U.S. Air Force Weapons School students participate in many combat training missions over the NTTR during the six-month, graduate-level instructor course held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

Close Air Support training at the Nevada Test and Training Range

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II with the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., provides close air support Sept. 23, 2011, over the Nevada Test and Training Range. U.S. Air Force Weapons School students participate in many combat training missions over the NTTR during the six-month, graduate-level instructor course held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brett Clashman/Released)

A-10 Warthog on a stick

A-10 “Warthog” crew chiefs and maintenance personnel assigned to the 57th Equipment Maintenance and 99th Civil Engineer squadrons, prepare to position the aircraft on a static display at Freedom Park here, Jan. 14. Previously a static display at Naval Air Station New Orleans with the 706th Fighter Squadron, work to bring the A-10 to Nellis began more than a year ago. Airmen from the 57th EMS refurbished the aircraft at the behest of 99th Air Base Wing installation commander, Col. Michael Bartley. The aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nadine Y. Barclay)

A-10 Warthog on a stick

A-10 “Warthog” crew chiefs and maintenance personnel assigned to the 57th Equipment Maintenance and 99th Civil Engineer squadrons, prepare to position the aircraft on a static display at Freedom Park here, Jan. 14. Previously a static display at Naval Air Station New Orleans with the 706th Fighter Squadron, work to bring the A-10 to Nellis began more than a year ago. Airmen from the 57th EMS refurbished the aircraft at the behest of 99th Air Base Wing installation commander, Col. Michael Bartley. The aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nadine Y. Barclay)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Phenix City, Ala. native crew chief Staff Sgt. Steve Young helps A-10 pilot 1st Lt. Chris "Harpoon" Laird prepare for a combat mission over Al Anbar Province in western Iraq. The lieutenant deployed here with the 74th Fighter Squadron, 438th Air Expeditionary Group, which is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, the only Air Force wing in Iraq. The group activated Jan. 15, 2007, to provide close air support for Coalition Forces in the region. Within hours of standing up as a fully operational combat flying unit, the group was launching its fierce 'Warthogs' into battle. The A-10's distinctive nose art has been known to strike fear into enemy combatants unlucky enough to see its hungry, shark-toothed facade grinning at them. The Wichita, Kan. native has flown about 30 combat missions in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ken Hall)

Bolting through the sky

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II releases chaff and flares during a close-air support mission May 5. A-10s are specially designed for close-air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. This aircraft is assigned to the 66th Weapons Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)