TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The A-10 Warthog has had a long and very successful deployment at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. I decided to take a look back at the history of the A-10 here at DM.
Once you the sound of the A-10's signature 30mm GAU-8 avenger gun.
An unforgettable sound—and feel—as former A-10 demo pilot Major Haden Fullam told me last year on the Davis-Monthan flight line.
"It's a really impressive weapon. It's full sensory overload," said Fullam. "You feel it, you see it, you smell it, you hear it. It's everything."
It's been everything at Davis-Monthan since 1975.
The A-10a thunderbolt II replaced the A-7d Corsair iII at DM in October of 1975.
The 355th tactical wing at Davis-Monthan was the first unit to receive the attack jet.
Nicknamed the Warthog, the A-10 has played major roles as close air support for ground troops in the Gulf War, and more recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Today, the more modern A-10c flies out of DM.
The very durable attack plane has continued to fly for almost 48 years—thanks to a now completed re-winging operation—extending the A-10's life through 2030.
RELATED ARTICLE: Sen. Kelly says Davis-Monthan to thrive after A-10 retires
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Pat Parris is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. He is a graduate of Sabino High School where he was the 1982 high school state track champion in the 800 meters. While in high school and college, he worked part-time in the KGUN 9 newsroom. Share your story ideas and important issues with Pat by emailing pat.parris@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.