Hobby Master 1/72 HA1330 A-10C Thunderbolt II 81-0976, 354th FS Bulldogs Incirlik AFB April 2017

October 1975 saw delivery of the first USAF A-10A and deployment in March 1976. Built specifically for close ground support the pilot is protected by titanium armor while being covered by a bubble canopy giving a commanding view. The Warthog has everything needed to survive, dual engines; self-sealing fuel cells; redundant flight control systems protected by titanium armor; a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun; a wide array of bombs and missiles. This plane packs a heavy punch and can stay on scene a long time to deliver its payload.

The 354th FS / 355th Fighter Wing from Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona received its first A-10C in 2009. In 2017 the 354th FS deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey as 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Operation Inherent Resolve was led by the U.S. and partner countries in an effort to eliminate ISIS forces that active in Iraq, Syria and other Middle East nations. One of the A-10C was 81-0976 that had been delivered to the USAF in 1981 and originally assigned to the 81st TFW at RAF Woodridge-Bentwaters.