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Osprey Combat Aircraft #111
A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom 2008-14
The untold story of A-10 units in Operation Enduring Freedom reaches its conclusion with this second of two volumes focusing on the type's combat missions in Afghanistan. Featuring numerous first-hand accounts and photography from those who experienced the conflict, along with imagery from official military archives, this book offers a unique and detailed insight into the record of the A-10 in one of the 21st Century's most significant conflicts. Initially, the A-10 Thunderbolt was not a favourite of the USAF, which, prior to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, was hoping to shunt this Cold War relic onto the US Army and Marine Corps. But since then the 'Warthog', with its formidable armament, ruggedness and flexibility, has continually proven itself in combat and evolved into the world's premiere close support aircraft. In 2002 the Thunderbolt was at the forefront of Operation Enduring Freedom, the US occupation of Afghanistan.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2018
Missions. This book is ultimately about missions. It starts out as a history of the whole campaign- and it contains great pictures and colour plates, but in the end, it is the amazing stories of the great service these aircraft pilot/crew teams do over Afghanistan, providing timely and amazingly accurate air support to Infantry and SOF squads of the NATO efforts. It's dry but riveting nonetheless.
I've read enough about this Campaign so that some of the air missions now relate to ground missions I recall from other books. The reality these books portray is a dangerous and harrowing world, where the ordnance sometimes does not match the latest mission and the fuel gauge always seems to be too low. But the guys always do as good a job as possible- and the good guys get out of that ambush, even if the delivery was "danger close". The Jargon is a little daunting, but its eventually worthwhile. This book has a lot of fun with the standard Osprey 96 page format with colour plates and great B/w pics throughout.
I think this is fine for any junior reader over about 11-12, who likes military subjects. For the gamer/modeller/military enthusiast this is a great little tome. Plenty of airframes to paint- great ideas for dioramas - and idea for great scenarios for Wargames. Most games use Air power as an add on- but I think there might be enough information here for a more nuanced air support element added to modern skirmish games. It's worth the read to find out. If modern warfare, Air War, or SOF is your area of interest or gaming/modelling- this is a good addition to the library.
I've read enough about this Campaign so that some of the air missions now relate to ground missions I recall from other books. The reality these books portray is a dangerous and harrowing world, where the ordnance sometimes does not match the latest mission and the fuel gauge always seems to be too low. But the guys always do as good a job as possible- and the good guys get out of that ambush, even if the delivery was "danger close". The Jargon is a little daunting, but its eventually worthwhile. This book has a lot of fun with the standard Osprey 96 page format with colour plates and great B/w pics throughout.
I think this is fine for any junior reader over about 11-12, who likes military subjects. For the gamer/modeller/military enthusiast this is a great little tome. Plenty of airframes to paint- great ideas for dioramas - and idea for great scenarios for Wargames. Most games use Air power as an add on- but I think there might be enough information here for a more nuanced air support element added to modern skirmish games. It's worth the read to find out. If modern warfare, Air War, or SOF is your area of interest or gaming/modelling- this is a good addition to the library.
October 17, 2015
Continuing a series of fine books this one complements another on the Hog's earlier service. Some might say it also complements the Osprey one on the Soviet equivalent which also served in Afghanistan, the Frogfoot. Perhaps we can look forward to comparable treatments of other Allied aircraft to serve in these theatres such as the Tornado. These are about the only books I could find on modern aerial warfare of this kind so they are worth a look.
Given the evidence in these Osprey A10 books no one can dispute the utility of this Cold War born machine. Instead of negating the Soviet tank hordes in the miserable climate of Europe, the Hog's design lent itself very well to close air support of ground troops pitched against irregular enemy troops. Another thing they would not have wanted to contemplate is turning the Avenger cannon on to personnel. Words such as overkill spring to mind but it is not so much the calibre of the round as the weapon's accuracy and likely terror effect. Doubt we shall ever read much about what it was like to be on the receiving end from Taliban.
Just as well providence or foresight (maybe some luck) kept it in the US Air Force frontline. Who knows how many grunts lived to tell their tales thanks to the Hog and its crews.
However, I did not find this one quite so engaging as I expected. The A10C developments especially with the EO upgrades were interesting as was the JDAM use etc., but somehow there can never be enough seat of the pants stuff in there. I also get a bit lost with the tac talk and unit comings and goings etc. But there is plenty of detail on what it was like to operate the aircraft from the aircrew point of view, sometimes in flight conditions few other aircraft could manage.
Maybe there was a prevailing gloom about reading their exploits, they succeeded in their toughest of jobs despite the powers that be rather than because of their support. Anyone who has any lingering doubts that this aircraft stands ready to tackle all jobs thrown at it should read this book. Few aircraft could have protected the grunts as responsively as the Hog. And the crews were faced with an uncertain future on their return to the US. It must corrode your commitment to not have this security for your future. But now here we are again, despite all the naysayers the Hog is back in action... saving lives and flying in NoE where many others can't or won't.
As usual the centerpiece is the side-view artworks. But the Hog is not one that lends itself much to this I feel what with the grey schemes etc. One looks much like another. All the photos are fine but there are no maps or operational graphics.
These are all personal gripes and any air fan will find much to interest in this book. Maybe we can hope someone with political influence will pick up a copy and be persuaded of the folly of losing the Hog from the Air Force? After all, were we to substitute the Hog's supposed successor, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for the actions in this book, somehow I doubt the outcome would have been so positive.
One last point, these operations were conducted with almost zero opposition from enemy aircraft or SAMs. As you will read here, the Hogs got hit more than once or twice and got home. But there has yet to be any action where the Hog has met fighters. I am sure it would acquit itself well but the question persists. Whatever such an outcome, it will not be for want of skill and courage of the pilots.
Still, a good read and here is to the next Osprey encounter. Thanks once again to Jim for lending it me.
BTW the cover illustration here is wrong...
Given the evidence in these Osprey A10 books no one can dispute the utility of this Cold War born machine. Instead of negating the Soviet tank hordes in the miserable climate of Europe, the Hog's design lent itself very well to close air support of ground troops pitched against irregular enemy troops. Another thing they would not have wanted to contemplate is turning the Avenger cannon on to personnel. Words such as overkill spring to mind but it is not so much the calibre of the round as the weapon's accuracy and likely terror effect. Doubt we shall ever read much about what it was like to be on the receiving end from Taliban.
Just as well providence or foresight (maybe some luck) kept it in the US Air Force frontline. Who knows how many grunts lived to tell their tales thanks to the Hog and its crews.
However, I did not find this one quite so engaging as I expected. The A10C developments especially with the EO upgrades were interesting as was the JDAM use etc., but somehow there can never be enough seat of the pants stuff in there. I also get a bit lost with the tac talk and unit comings and goings etc. But there is plenty of detail on what it was like to operate the aircraft from the aircrew point of view, sometimes in flight conditions few other aircraft could manage.
Maybe there was a prevailing gloom about reading their exploits, they succeeded in their toughest of jobs despite the powers that be rather than because of their support. Anyone who has any lingering doubts that this aircraft stands ready to tackle all jobs thrown at it should read this book. Few aircraft could have protected the grunts as responsively as the Hog. And the crews were faced with an uncertain future on their return to the US. It must corrode your commitment to not have this security for your future. But now here we are again, despite all the naysayers the Hog is back in action... saving lives and flying in NoE where many others can't or won't.
As usual the centerpiece is the side-view artworks. But the Hog is not one that lends itself much to this I feel what with the grey schemes etc. One looks much like another. All the photos are fine but there are no maps or operational graphics.
These are all personal gripes and any air fan will find much to interest in this book. Maybe we can hope someone with political influence will pick up a copy and be persuaded of the folly of losing the Hog from the Air Force? After all, were we to substitute the Hog's supposed successor, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for the actions in this book, somehow I doubt the outcome would have been so positive.
One last point, these operations were conducted with almost zero opposition from enemy aircraft or SAMs. As you will read here, the Hogs got hit more than once or twice and got home. But there has yet to be any action where the Hog has met fighters. I am sure it would acquit itself well but the question persists. Whatever such an outcome, it will not be for want of skill and courage of the pilots.
Still, a good read and here is to the next Osprey encounter. Thanks once again to Jim for lending it me.
BTW the cover illustration here is wrong...
October 18, 2015
A very well written, 96-pages short documentation of the A-10C's operations as part of OEF enriched with some 'war stories' from the cockpit an on the ground as well as a introduction to the A-10C. This and the first book, which covered the years 2002-2007, are clearly designed as documentation and less as a collection of stories. The two books by Gary Wetzel come close to what William L. Smallwood did with ‘Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War’ for the Gulf War. With the two Osprey-books as foundation you will much better understand all those A-10 stories and videos one can find in books and in the web. So Mission accomplished for this!
February 29, 2016
Excellent Book
This is a wonderful book with information into 2014, and written by a Hog pilot. There was a lot of stories from pilots that served there. The information on the plane's various upgrade programs was very interesting. This is the first Osprey book I've read with the new format having the color plates in the back with the commentary. This made the much easier to read on the Kindle Fire HD.
This is a wonderful book with information into 2014, and written by a Hog pilot. There was a lot of stories from pilots that served there. The information on the plane's various upgrade programs was very interesting. This is the first Osprey book I've read with the new format having the color plates in the back with the commentary. This made the much easier to read on the Kindle Fire HD.
July 13, 2016
This is another typical Osprey book. If you know the series youz know what to expect. Plenty of first hand accounts, plenty of stories. Nature of war means these stories boil down to 2we operated from less than optimal base, flew around, got called in because our troops got ambushed, we bombed Taliban and flew home".
It's a nice look at airpower in low intensity conflict and nice contrast with Soviet experience in same country decades earlier.
It's a nice look at airpower in low intensity conflict and nice contrast with Soviet experience in same country decades earlier.
January 3, 2025
Gary is able to take the reader directly inside the cockpit of A-10s flying over Afghanistan providing professional Close Air Support (CAS) over Afghanistan as the A-10 becomes more and more of a smart weapon w/ upgrades. Yet, the mighty A-10 still has to fly through clouds and loiter for hours on end to protect the boots on the ground from ambushes. This is a very professionally well done aviation history book at 95 or so pages.
October 5, 2015
Informations about A-10C - great!
March 11, 2016
JUST AWESOME.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews