Cool pix!

I did not know that!

 

I saw a Harrier do a 180 flip once. The pilot crawled out of the bird and then pissed on it. Epic response.

 

Since we've turned Bobby's pix thread into a discussion on the A10, sorry A58 but it IS a kickass aircraft,


The A-10 Thunderbolt II piloted by Captain Kim Campbell suffered extensive damage during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Campbell flew it safely back to base on manual reversion mode after taking damage to the hydraulic system. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- Maj. Kim Campbell, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot here, shared her story with Women's History Month luncheon guests about a mission in which her A-10 was hit by enemy fire over Baghdad.

While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, then Captain Campbell and her flight lead were flying over downtown Baghdad during a close air support mission April 7, 2003.

We were originally tasked to target some Iraqi tanks and vehicles in the city that were acting as a command post, but on the way to the target area we received a call from the ground forward air controller or FAC, saying they were taking fire and needed immediate assistance."

The FAC ultimately turned out to be a member of the captain's squadron. Once over the target area, they descended below the clouds to positively identify the friendly troops and the enemy's location.

"We could see the Iraqi troops firing RPGs, or rocket propelled grenades, into our guys," she said. "It was definitely a high threat situation, but within minutes my flight lead was employing his 30 mm Gatling gun on the enemy location."

The two-ship formation of A-10s then made several passes over the enemy location, employing 30 mm bullets and high explosive rockets.

"Yes, there was risk involved, but these guys on the ground needed our help," Major Campbell said. "It's what any A-10 attack pilot would do in response to a troops-in-contact situation. That's our job; to bring fire down on the enemy when our Army and Marine brothers and sisters request our assistance."

More;
Air Force Pilot Landed Damaged A-10 Using Only 'Cranks and Cables'

 

"Bring the rain!"

 

No Belgian gates?

 

If this is nearly 35 year old technology I wonder what's up there now ! Or around the corner !

 

Triangular UFOs?

 

In TWO days we'll see this. In the meantime ;

• Published Oct. 20, 2022
• Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --
The Air Force confirmed Oct. 20 it plans to reveal the B-21 Raider Dec. 2 during an unveiling ceremony hosted and sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Corporation at its production facilities in Palmdale, California.

The B-21 is a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will incrementally replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet.

"The unveiling of the B-21 Raider will be a historic moment for our Air Force and the nation," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. "We last introduced a new bomber over 30 years ago. As we look to the threats posed by our pacing challenge; we must continue to rapidly modernize. The B-21 Raider will provide formidable combat capability across a range of operations in highly contested environments of the future."

B-21 bomber to be unveiled Dec. 2 > Air Force > Article Display

 

Three weeks ago.
B-2 stealth bombers assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base taxi and take-off during exercise Spirit Vigilance at Whiteman Air Force Base on November 7, 2022. US Air Force photo