“The A-10 belongs right there with the war birds, as it is legendary itself,” Master Sgt. Mark Aube, A-10 West Heritage Flight Team maintenance superintendent
On Mar. 25-26, 2017 the A-10 West Heritage Flight Team (WHFT) performed at its first air show after nearly five years of inactivation.
As reported by Airman 1st Class Mya M. Crosby, 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs in the article A-10 West Heritage Flight Team returns to the skies, the demo team out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB), Ariz., kicked off its resurgence at the Los Angeles County Air Show in Lancaster, California, by flying in formation with the World War II-era P-38 Lightning.
“The A-10 belongs right there with the war birds, as it is legendary itself,” said Master Sgt. Mark Aube, A-10 WHFT maintenance superintendent. “While talking with the air show guests, I found that everyone was eager to see the tank buster in action.”
In addition to its two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs, the team is complete with three pilots, two crew chiefs, an avionics technician, engines technician, and an aircraft electrical and environmental specialist.
The A-10 WHFT is scheduled to perform in 9 more air shows throughout the U.S. this year.
“It’s great to have the A-10 back on the air show circuit as a part of the Heritage Flight,” said Maj. Daniel Levy, 357th Fighter Squadron and A-10 WHFT pilot. “The Warthog has flown close air support for American and allied forces almost every day for the past 15 years. It’s the perfect mix of old and new.”
Established in 1997 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the Heritage Flight gives civilian pilots of historic military aircraft (typically World War II, Korea and Vietnam era fighters) and USAF pilots the chance to fly in formation together during the air show season.
Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Mya M. Crosby / U.S. Air Force
Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com
