A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom 2002-07 (Combat Aircraft, 98)

This is another in the Osprey series, "Combat Aircraft." Author Gary Wetzel traces the role of the A-10 "Warthog" in Operationn Enduring Freedom. Much of the book's coverage takes place in Afghanistan. However, the volume begins with a brief history of the development of this aircraft--a plane built around a "big gun," a 30 millimeter cannon. The Warthog was designed for air support for "close air support."The book tells their story of A-10s and their pilots in Afghanistan operations. Those interviews give life to the book, as we hear of the Warthog's work from those most closely associated with the plane. And their memories of the combat operations of which they were part. The book also gives us good information on maintenance of the Warthog and its operational abilities and needs. At this level, the book is very good.However, over the 96 total pages in this book, the reader can get lost in a welter of acronyms and initials that are hard to keep straight. It slowed the reading down and sometimes became confusing to me. Perhaps this would not be an impediment with others, but I found it making the reading more difficult.Nonetheless, a fine book, given life because of the many interviews with the pilots and others associated with the Warthog.

This is an interesting, mostly firsthand, account of the A10a in combat in Afghanistan. I had expected a more technical account of the plane, but in the event was not disappointed with what I got. I found the descriptions very gripping, with the book's authors providing enough background to make events comprehensible. I was left with a much clearer idea of what combat in an A10 involves. I have only two criticisms, firstly it stops when the A10c arrives, and secondly it would have been helpful if the numerous abbreviations had been more clearly and more frequently explained. But, these a minor issues, overall I would recommend this book.

A-10, THE ABSOLUTE BEST EVER!!

A great overview of A-10s in the first part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Describes plenty of the operational missions performed by the Hogs.

This is a good book but for a really good description of an A-10 in action, see "Apache" by Ed Macy

Very informative, great subject matter. Can never have enough materias on the A-10, a must have add to anyone's library. Love the hog, go ugly early!

Enjoyable read, very informative.

Very well written and almost like a novel. WETZEL makes the Hogs and their drivers to life. Highly recommended reading.

must have for A-10 fans and other people intersted in Military Aviation

The A-10 Thunderbolt II has always been the less than favourite child of the USAF and this shows both in the constant fight to keep the platform alive, as well as in the rather tardy pace at which the aircraft has received developments from its first entry into service. At the same time, this dedicated close air support platform managed to outperform expectations time and time again, given that it constantly operates in situations of American air superiority. The book covers the operations of A-10A units in the Operation 'Enduring Freedom' from 2002 to 2007, so basically the period before the introduction of the upgraded and partially digitalized A-10C.As is standard for the series, the author starts with a brief introduction of the aircraft and its development, and then proceeds with specific operational experiences, largely based on first hand accounts. Given the complete lack of any air assets on the part of the opposition, it is perhaps initially surprising, how late the Warthogs got involved in the fighting and in what low numbers they were present in Afghanistan throughout. At the same time the book also quite clearly demonstrates the difficulties that operating such an old platform brings (communication, deployment from foreign airbases due to low speeds and long transit times, lack of sufficient avionics to compete with more modern platforms in terms of smart weapons delivery, etc.). In spite of all the difficulties, the Warthog community managed to remain a real asset, with forward air control of all the other participating coalition aircraft being perhaps even morei mportant than the pure attack role. At the same time, it becomes apparent that it is still helpful keeping a dedicated close air support platform, which does not only depend on smart weapons and remote delivery but can also successfully employ its cannon based armament as well as 'dumb' bombs and absorb the battle damage meted out when doing so.The advantage it did to morale during difficult operations - 'Anaconda' is described in quite some detail - is of course an added bonus. What the book is also very good at, is in pinpointing the areas where a further development of the aircraft would be helpful. Some of those have been implemented in the A-10C upgrade, others, such as the re-engining (making sure even a fully laden A-10 has the power to connect to the refuelling aircraft without both entering a shallow dive) have not been pursued due to cost.The reason for four rather than five stars is the slightly slower pace compared to some other books in the series, as well as a less optimal structure. As mentioned, there remain many first hand accounts of both the use of the aircraft and the operating difficulties and there is very good pictorial material as well as the customary colour plates, which are also to a very good standard.As the aircraft continues to skirt close to the chopping board, as one of the last dedicated single use platforms, it is especially interesting to read about its employment; in spite of the structural (new wings) and avionics upgrades there remains the distinct possibility that its operational days are numbered. I would definitely recommend the book to aviation enthusiasts, as well as to people more generally interested in the finer aspects of the recent combat operations in Afghanistan. For all others it may be a tad too dry, and given the focus on the forward air control mission, it is certainly not a constant action sequence, either.

It's hard to believe that this is the first Osprey volume devoted to the A-10 but it has been worth the wait.After a brief overview of the A-10's history, it is on to the excellent account of the Hog's exploits in Afghanistan.Backed by plenty of superb first hand accounts of combat by pilots of the various squadrons that used the A model between 2002-2007, there is the usual high quality aircraft profile section which has improved in the Osprey series so much since the early days.There are plenty of nice photographs throughout the book.Another nice touch is the supporting text for the colour plates containing info on when each A-10 featured joined its various units during its career.I look forward to the inevitable future volume on the deployment of the C model to OEF from 2007 onwards.Congratulations to author Gary Wetzel on a great Osprey Combat Aircraft debut.

A 10 is not the prettiest aiplane, but its operational record is impressive. This book deals whith in depth appreciation of the Enduring freedom par of it, with the Osprey usual mix of facts, lively memories, good (albeit somewhat small) pictures and good colour profiles.Recommended.

You know exactly what to expect from this series of books form Osprey - good interviews, high quality photos and the usual profile views showing the varying units that operated during this period of Operation Enduring Freedom. Osprey keep these titles coming.