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The Warriors
Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War
A valentine for one of the ugliest, albeit most lethally effective, warplanes ever built--as well as for the men who flew them during the Desert Storm campaign. Drawing on interviews with over one hundred A-10 pilots who served in the Persian Gulf during the 1990-91 hostilities, Smallwood (himself an aviator and Korean War vet) offers riveting perspectives on aerial combat. Setting the stage with an informative briefing on how, in the 70's, the Air Force developed the A-10 (a.k.a. ``Warthog'') as a means of supporting ground troops with massive firepower, he moves into anecdotal vignettes detailing the ways in which so-called ``hog drivers'' and their commanders whiled away the weary hours of the calm before the storm in Saudi Arabia's inhospitable clime. At the heart of his narrative, however, are vivid accounts of how A-10s accomplished their tank-busting missions and then some once the battle was joined. Tasked, among other objectives, to take out missile launchers and artillery emplacements far behind the front lines (assignments normally reserved for jet fighters), the slow-moving, heavily armed Warthogs were credited with over half the bomb damage inflicted on Iraqi forces and installations. Employing improvisational tactics, A-10s also flew reconnaissance and assisted in rescues of coalition pilots; they even scored air-to- air kills, downing a couple of enemy choppers. Indeed, the plane's ungainly Gatling-gun platform performed so well that pilots demanded their craft be redesignated ``RFOA-10'' (for ``reconnaissance/fighter/observation/attack'').
268 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
50 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
William L. Smallwood
21 books8 followersAn experienced pilot, William L. Smallwood served in the Air Force during the Korean War and is the author of Strike Eagle: Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War and the highly acclaimed Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 1, 2025
A very informative book. I've read several books about various aircraft of World War II, Vietnam, X-series, etc. I discovered quickly how much I didn't know about the A-10. I new it was primarily designed for close air support, and that the plane's weapon systems were formidable. Shocked to find out it's navigation systems were so primitive planes transferring from the United States to bases in foreign countries had to fly in formation trailing their assigned aerial refueling plane to depend on it's advanced navigation systems. Some of the pilots accounts of crossing the Atlantic Ocean were just about as harrowing as some of their combat actions. During the Gulf War pilots often flew with maps in their lap to help identify landmarks as well as potential targets.
Despite it's designed role a a Close Air Support weapon, during the Gulf War the plane was also used for Recon, Scud Missile hunting, targeting anti-plane missile systems and artillery and assisting in missions to rescue downed pilots. An amazing plane, and the story of the amazing men who flew them. The A-10 had a formidable record of enemy destruction during the Gulf War.
All of the A-10s were supposed to be retired by 2023, but the USAF hasn't found a suitable replacement at this point. The only reason I couldn't give this book a five, is that I found the writer's round-about writing style he would use on occasion irksome. If you're a fan of modern military aviation
Despite it's designed role a a Close Air Support weapon, during the Gulf War the plane was also used for Recon, Scud Missile hunting, targeting anti-plane missile systems and artillery and assisting in missions to rescue downed pilots. An amazing plane, and the story of the amazing men who flew them. The A-10 had a formidable record of enemy destruction during the Gulf War.
All of the A-10s were supposed to be retired by 2023, but the USAF hasn't found a suitable replacement at this point. The only reason I couldn't give this book a five, is that I found the writer's round-about writing style he would use on occasion irksome. If you're a fan of modern military aviation
April 17, 2015
I was 12 years old when the Gulf War began, and I remember thinking how cool it was. The videos on the news of all the amazing technology; the smart bombs, the jets, the tanks. Public sentiment was positive, we were the good guys, the liberators. I even had Desert Storm trading cards. That's crazy to think of now.
Anyway, this book follows the A-10 Thunderbolt II through the Gulf War. Prior to the war the plane had a reputation for being ugly, slow, and not very effective. We had F-15s and F-16s flying around launching smart bombs, what did we need this lumbering beast for? In fact, right before the war began the entire A-10 fleet was scheduled to be mothballed. Given the chance to prove itself, the plane rose to the occasion. The book details the many different types of missions. Things from SCUD hunting, to tank destroying, the plane was a real workhorse. In fact, the pilots jokingly referred to their plane was the RFOA-10G. Reconnaissance, Fighter, Observation, Attack.
It was a great plane, with great pilots. Estimates state that over half of all the Iraqi armor destroyed in the Gulf War was done by the A-10, and that was while flying less than 30% of the total missions.
Anyway, this book follows the A-10 Thunderbolt II through the Gulf War. Prior to the war the plane had a reputation for being ugly, slow, and not very effective. We had F-15s and F-16s flying around launching smart bombs, what did we need this lumbering beast for? In fact, right before the war began the entire A-10 fleet was scheduled to be mothballed. Given the chance to prove itself, the plane rose to the occasion. The book details the many different types of missions. Things from SCUD hunting, to tank destroying, the plane was a real workhorse. In fact, the pilots jokingly referred to their plane was the RFOA-10G. Reconnaissance, Fighter, Observation, Attack.
It was a great plane, with great pilots. Estimates state that over half of all the Iraqi armor destroyed in the Gulf War was done by the A-10, and that was while flying less than 30% of the total missions.
September 1, 2020
I've always been fascinated by the A-10 Warthog. You will not find a more thoroughly researched piece of writing of any length on this aircraft. The author interviewed dozens of pilots who flew in the first Iraq War, over an extended period. As well as interesting technical details, the first-hand accounts of pilots who flew round-the-clock missions during Desert Shield and Desert Storm are fascinating. From my point of view, it's interesting to compare their stories to those of their forebears in WWII and Vietnam, where casualty rates were much higher. The A-10 is basically a flying tank, and was designed perfectly to fill not just a ground-attack role, but the many other roles that were entrusted to it and its pilots during its first ever active combat. Extraordinary aircraft; extraordinary airmen.
It nearly lost a point for being scanned a little scrappily into Kindle format, and for having some spelling mistakes.
It nearly lost a point for being scanned a little scrappily into Kindle format, and for having some spelling mistakes.
May 4, 2017
Great read and I love this plane! Looks aren't everything, as you know, that is what everyone talks about when speaking of the A-10. It's what the plane can do, that's so important. I don't know why there is talks of getting rid of it. Having gone to the "Boneyard" in AZ, and seeing so many of them sitting there, just waiting to go back into service, should there be a need, it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
January 23, 2021
Entertaining and informative weekend read. Written at the HS/early college level (Not knocking the author, well done, but this is not "Crusade in Europe" or "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph), it goes over the design of the aircraft, it's development, and then the deployment and actions of the Warthog in the Gulf War. These men were magnificent, any soldier (Or Marine for that matter) worships the Warthog more than the pilots who love them. Well done.
May 23, 2020
Exciting you-are-there tribute to the most versatile modern jet in the world. Also the most beautiful air machine created.
November 28, 2020
A doggone good Desert Storm aviation history
No kidding, this book will take you inside the mighty A-10 Warthog as it was employed in Operation Desert Storm. You can read all about their missions from anti-tank to CAS to SCUD hunting and more.
No kidding, this book will take you inside the mighty A-10 Warthog as it was employed in Operation Desert Storm. You can read all about their missions from anti-tank to CAS to SCUD hunting and more.
December 9, 2022
3.75 rating
June 20, 2025
What a book, incredible account of the Hog pilots and Night Hog pilots in the gulf war 10/10!
April 28, 2013
The A-10 may have been the reason that the 1990-91 Gulf War was such an easy victory over Iraq. The A-10 is no doubt the ugliest plane in service during the past half century, hence its nickname "warthog". It is a mobile platform for the follow typical ordinance:
six Mark-82s
six CBUs
two Maverick missiles
two Aim-9s
ECM pod flares
1,150 rounds of 30mm {One 30mm shell can destroy a tank or other mobile armored vehicle.}
History is written by the winners but usually in broad strokes. I have never read such a detailed account of how the Kuwait invasion affected our troops. Smallwood combines almost day-by-day accounts from the pilots and support personnel with the overview of strategy and tactics as they applied to the Air Force role in this war. There is also good background on the equipment and the units in the fight.
If you accept that this war was necessary and you want to know how it was fought, this is a good place to start. There is enough jargon to be intimidating, but Smallwood provides a glossary that handles most of it easily. Probably only for a small group of war craft nerds, but well done.
six Mark-82s
six CBUs
two Maverick missiles
two Aim-9s
ECM pod flares
1,150 rounds of 30mm {One 30mm shell can destroy a tank or other mobile armored vehicle.}
History is written by the winners but usually in broad strokes. I have never read such a detailed account of how the Kuwait invasion affected our troops. Smallwood combines almost day-by-day accounts from the pilots and support personnel with the overview of strategy and tactics as they applied to the Air Force role in this war. There is also good background on the equipment and the units in the fight.
If you accept that this war was necessary and you want to know how it was fought, this is a good place to start. There is enough jargon to be intimidating, but Smallwood provides a glossary that handles most of it easily. Probably only for a small group of war craft nerds, but well done.
August 22, 2009
Certainly a good book, and for someone interested in the modern post-Cold War USAF or the A-10, a must-read.
William Smallwood is a decent author, who portrays the events in a clear and concise language that is easy to read. No confusing jumps or failure to mention things, William nicely ties in the real events with the pilot's dialog of what happened. He also accurately captures all the major events that happened to the A-10 in Desert Storm.
As someone who served with the A-10s at that time, I can state that the details about the aircraft are accurate, I found no faulty information in the entire book.
My only complaint is with the author, who uses a bit too much foreshadowing...almost at the end of every chapter. Got a little annoying after awhile, but other than that, a real good book.
William Smallwood is a decent author, who portrays the events in a clear and concise language that is easy to read. No confusing jumps or failure to mention things, William nicely ties in the real events with the pilot's dialog of what happened. He also accurately captures all the major events that happened to the A-10 in Desert Storm.
As someone who served with the A-10s at that time, I can state that the details about the aircraft are accurate, I found no faulty information in the entire book.
My only complaint is with the author, who uses a bit too much foreshadowing...almost at the end of every chapter. Got a little annoying after awhile, but other than that, a real good book.
June 9, 2012
For love of the Hog
There's no denying I have a soft-spot for the A-10 Warthog... Despite not having the clean-lines, power or sexyness of many of its pointy counterparts, it is one of the most effective war-machines of the modern era; matched with a face that only a pilot/enthusiast could love.
Will L Smallwood's book is written with that love of the aircraft that many people reading this book are already likely to have and provides an honourable and worthy commemoration of the Hog's role during Desert Storm. Most of the narration is actually from the pilot's themselves which leads to many remarkable accounts of bravery, luck and seat-of-your-pants moments as you're taken into the cockpit.
'Warthog' is a very worthy book and I enjoyed it, perhaps a bit to sentimentally-macho/patriotic at time for my taste but nonetheless a fun book.
There's no denying I have a soft-spot for the A-10 Warthog... Despite not having the clean-lines, power or sexyness of many of its pointy counterparts, it is one of the most effective war-machines of the modern era; matched with a face that only a pilot/enthusiast could love.
Will L Smallwood's book is written with that love of the aircraft that many people reading this book are already likely to have and provides an honourable and worthy commemoration of the Hog's role during Desert Storm. Most of the narration is actually from the pilot's themselves which leads to many remarkable accounts of bravery, luck and seat-of-your-pants moments as you're taken into the cockpit.
'Warthog' is a very worthy book and I enjoyed it, perhaps a bit to sentimentally-macho/patriotic at time for my taste but nonetheless a fun book.
September 20, 2012
The much-maligned Republic Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II; affectionately known by pilots and fans as the "Warthog" was built during the cold war and designed to fight over the European landscape against the Soviet threat. In early 1991, in the skies over Iraq, the plane and the "Hog-Drivers" as the pilots referred to themselves, adapted to a multitude of missions; from Combat Air Support for troops on the ground, to Reconnisance and even night missions, to fit the needs of the Coalition Forces during the first Gulf War. Time and again, the planes demonstrated flexibility in their role and and unsurpassed survivability when it came to bringing their pilots back safely. If you are a fan of Military Aviation I'd highly recommend this book!
November 19, 2010
The author has bought together in this book the combined experience of numerous A-10 pilots during the first Gulf war and has produced an 'A' class read. From start to finish the narrative meshes together the pilot’s stories so they read as one.
Also he gives a great overview and history of the ugly sister of planes the Warthog. The book covers the coming of the A-10 into highly respected multi-functional and weapons platform. A true story of the frog turning into a prince but remaining a frog at the same time.
I take my hat off to the brave pilots and ground crews of these machines do yourself a favour and read this book
Also he gives a great overview and history of the ugly sister of planes the Warthog. The book covers the coming of the A-10 into highly respected multi-functional and weapons platform. A true story of the frog turning into a prince but remaining a frog at the same time.
I take my hat off to the brave pilots and ground crews of these machines do yourself a favour and read this book
July 23, 2014
A lovely book about an ugly aircraft! This book really shines when it comes to highlighting the essential role this bastard-child of the US Air Force has plaid in all conflicts since its inception. It may be the ugly duckling (it earned the nickname Warthog for a reason), but the pilots who still fly this beast swear by it. There is simply no single-aircraft replacement for the role the Warthog plays in any military scenario. It may not be "stealthy", but who needs stealth when you're riding in a titanium bathtub mounted on a 30mm, 4200 rounds per minute, cannon with wings?!
September 11, 2014
It was short, but good. The book details the A-10's roll in Desert Storm, and how the aircraft went way above and beyond the role it was designed for. It'll be a damn shame when these planes are phased out for the bloated defense department money pits being built now. There will never be a finer close air support platform than the Warthog, and this quick read proves it.
January 9, 2010
A fascinating look at the lives of the A-10 pilots during the gulf war. This books is an excellent tribute to them and the incredible planes they flew. Anyone interested in military history and especially military aviation should read this.
March 10, 2015
This is a very detailed documentary look at the A-10 Warthog's involvement in the operation Desert Storm. If you are really into this type of aircraft you will love this book. For the rest it probably won't be the most exciting of reads at certain points. Still, I'm glad I picked this one up.
November 24, 2015
Worth the time if you are into the A10. The combat scenes are quite exciting. I would not have minded a bit more on the overall strategic context, and a map or two would have been helpful. Started a bit slow but overall a good and pretty quick read.
August 3, 2016
Amazing story about the Hog drivers in the 1991 Gulf War.
Bought used. The name "Bill Beattel" written in the first page.
Bought used. The name "Bill Beattel" written in the first page.
March 23, 2012
An excellent account of the A-10's combat record during the Gulf War as well as the Hog Drivers.
April 7, 2013
A must read for fans of the A-10.
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February 3, 2016Awsome story. I want to be a A10 pilot..
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews