A relic of the Cold War, the A-10 Thunderbolt II first saw action in Afghanistan during the near-disastrous Operation Anaconda campaign in March 2002, initially flying from an airfield in Pakistan and then from Bagram. During Anaconda four A-10s provided 21 straight hours of Forward Air Control (Airborne)/Close Air Support (CAS) coverage for troops under fire. Since then the flexibility of the A-10 has persisted in-theatre. This commitment has seen nine active duty, reserve and Air National Guard squadrons taking their turn in the frontline supporting Coalition forces operating across Afghanistan.
Clearly acknowledged as the premier CAS aircraft committed to Operation Enduring Freedom, the once disposable A-10 has become indispensable. The first Combat Aircraft volume on the 'Hog', this book chronicles five years of A-10 service in Operation Enduring Freedom from 2002 to 2007 through first-hand combat accounts and photography from those involved, as well as specially commissioned profile artwork.