These are forwarded from a forward from a forward, but the story is, basically, a combat damaged A-10 “Warthog” comes home, saving its pilot and being able to be repaired to fight another day. It’s amazing this bird kept flying; the pilot certainly deserves whatever award she (yes, she) should get.
Notice how you never see pictures like this of damaged F-16’s limping home? So much for the ‘mud fighter’ concept. I have heard that the Air Force is again making noise about retiring A-10’s after this war; they made the same after Desert Storm, and stopped because the USMC wanted them! Let’s hope the USMC still has the budget to keep this robust and effective airplane in the active inventory.
Update: I have combined the pictures into one larger pic.
