A-10 Thunderbolt II

Pilots prepare for launch in A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 4, 2012. The planes were launching for a training sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Craig Cisek)

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A-10 Thunderbolt II

Pilots perform preflight checks in A-10 Thunderbolt IIs prior to take off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 4, 2012. The A-10s belong to the 25th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Craig Cisek)

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A-10 Thunderbolt II

A pilot prepares for take-off in an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 4, 2012. This A-10 is assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Craig Cisek)

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A-10 Thunderbolt IIs prep for flight

Published Dec. 4, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Craig Cisek
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The first production of A-10s was designed specifically for close air support in 1975. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are attached to the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base. The squadron was activated under the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Oct. 1, 1993. Today the aircraft remains the leading close air support fighter for the peninsula.