GAU-8A

[48MMS]

Was cleaning out a drawer and found my GAU-8A patch. I spent over 8 years on the A-10 at both Eielson AFB anf the Twin Bases in England. I was Weapons NCOIC of the L.A.S.T.E. (Low Altitude Safety Targeting Enhancement) modification team and finished with 20 consecutive zero defect QC evals. Our team also could remove and replace a gun system in 8 hours or less (the Air Force average at the time was 72 hours). Had load times of 8 minutes for 1150 rounds of 30mm; was USAFE's first qualified crew chief for loading an AIM-9 on the A-10 and loaded AAC's first live AGM-65 on an A-10. Compaired to the F-111 and F-16, the A-10 was a "blast" to load. Definitely enjoyed my time on the A-10. As you can tell, finding this patch brought back a few memories!

[chcole1]

Very cool! Thanks for your service. I've always wanted to get close to a A-10. Never seen one in person.

 

Chris

[48MMS]

Hopefully you'll get to see one soon. I always had hopes of the twin seat A-10 going into service while I was in. Thought it would make a great "Wild Weasel"platform, however military "logic" oftens squashes such thinking. I still recall an Air Force spokesman telling the media that one of the main reasons the USAF chose the F-16 Air Defense variant over the F-20 Tigershark was the fact that it had only one engine! :pinch:

Now in their defense, I'm sure there were other reasons. Much Like the Navy claiming that the F-111B was too heavy for carrier action, yet adopted the F-14 which is heavier and to date has done fine in its carrier activity. You have to love it when political and military minds come together.