A-10 Jets of 188th Fighter Wing to Perform Flyover at Mississippi State Game
Courtesy: Arkansas
Release: 11/14/2007
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A-10 Thunderbolts from the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith will perform a flyover at the Mississippi Statel-Arkansas football game Saturday following the National Anthem. Kick off for the game is set for 1:00 pm at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
The A-10 Thunderbolt is a single-seat attack airplane capable of carrying a wide array of bombs, rockets, missiles, and other ordnance. However, it is most widely known for the thunderous growl of it’s 30 millimeter “avenger” gatling cannon, the most powerful cannon ever fitted to an air force attack airplane. It is capable of delivering 70 rounds in one second.
A-10’s are currently deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, where their wide array of weapons and powerful cannon coupled with relatively quiet and efficient engines make it a perfect selection for operating close to friendly ground forces as they engage the enemy. This is called close air support- a mission the A-10 was specifically designed to do.
The 188th Fighter Wing recently converted to the A-10 from the F-16 Fighting Falcon as a result of the base realignment and closure committee. The A-10 will soon go through an upgrade to it’s electronics called “precision engagement” that will give it new and better weapons and tactics capabilities, to include employment of precision gps-guided weapons. This will ensure it’s longevity and the 188th’s continued success for decades to come.
-- HOGS --
PS: we picked up the Jet 188 yesterday-very cool!!!!
