A-10 Demo Team to WOHA 2023-FB
performer announcement: USAF A-10 “Wart…HOG!” Demo IS INBOUND HOUSTON!
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ross)
Pictured Above: The A-10 Demo Team’s 2023 Paint-Scheme (You’ll be able to see at this year’s show!)
The A-10 and all its’ baditude will take flight on October 14th and 15th at CAF Wings Over Houston 2023. Here’s some additional info to get you spooled for all the aviation action!
Rugged Modern-Day Fighter A-10 Thunderbolt II
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is just plain cool and built like a tank (that flies)! It’s so ugly they call it the “Wart-HOG,” a nickname that carries with it a great deal of affection and respect for this plane that isn’t afraid to get too close to the action.
The “Warthog’s” large, unswept high-aspect-ratio wing and large ailerons give it excellent low-speed, low-altitude maneuverability. In addition, many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. Both of these unique attributes make the A-10 easily serviced in remote airfields.
This “unbreakable beast” can fly for long periods, has short takeoff and landing capability, and can pick out small ground targets with great precision making it a crucial U.S. Air Force asset. A-10s are simply too effective and too tough to leave out of any battle which is why seeing them at an Airshow is a bit rare!
The A-10’s cockpit and portions of its flight control system are protected by 1,200 pounds of titanium aircraft armor, called the “bathtub,” allowing it to withstand direct hits. This protection combined with redundant hydraulic flight systems, and a mechanical system that still works even if hydraulics are lost.
This machine gun of an aircraft is a champion of the skies; don’t miss seeing it fly October 14th and 15th!
Meet “MAD”: This year’s A-10 Demo Team Pilot
Captain Lindsay “MAD” Johnson is the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander, Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona. She is responsible for showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II at over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally. She is also responsible for leadership of a 10-person team that includes maintenance and public affairs Airmen. She and the team highlight the capabilities of the A-10, as well as pay tribute to Air Force history by flying formation flights with the Heritage Flight Foundation.
Capt. Johnson commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy in 2014 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences – Human Factors. She has since earned a master’s degree in Aviation Safety from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Capt. Johnson has served in Texas, Korea and Arizona. As a veteran instructor pilot, she has amassed over 1,250 flight hours, including 431 combat flight hours in support of both Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the Resolute Support Mission. Prior to her current position, Capt. Johnson was an Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
Memphis Belle III: Check out the new paint scheme video for the A-10 Demo Team and why they chose it
“Our newest demo aircraft has received a new paint scheme. In an effort to pay homage to the work the B-17F, “Memphis Belle”, did during WW2 the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing nicknamed one of their F-105s the “Memphis Belle II.” The “Memphis Belle II” was assigned to the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron and is credited with two air-to-air kills in 1967. Since all 3 of our A-10C demonstration aircraft are assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron, we chose to nickname tail number 78-0651 “Memphis Belle III.”
Click play on the video below. It’s really cool!
Deep Discount Ticket Launch = Thursday, June 15th at 12:00 PM CT (Noon Central)
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Photo & Info Sources:
- https://www.facebook.com/A10DemoTeam
- https://www.dm.af.mil/A-10-Demonstration-Team/
- YouTube: MechDesignTV (https://youtu.be/KplkAJnuaII)
A Note on Performers:
Aircraft and performers are subject to change without notice, due to operational considerations. If anything changes, we will do our best to let you know. Thank you!
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