Moody AFB says the modification enhances the Warthog’s skill to assist fight search and rescue and shut air assist missions, permitting probe-equipped A-10Cs to refuel from HC-130Js beneath 10,000 ft, with two plane taking gas concurrently.
The U.S. Air Pressure has revealed some attention-grabbing new particulars concerning the A-10C Thunderbolt II’s new Probe Refueling Adapter, including some operational context to the potential first demonstrated in April after which seen in use within the Center East earlier this month.
As we already reported intimately, the Warthog fleet just lately obtained a brand new probe-and-drogue aerial refueling functionality developed in response to an pressing combatant command requirement. The modification permits the A-10, to obtain gas from C-130-based tankers such because the HC-130J Fight King II, MC-130J Commando II and KC-130J Tremendous Hercules, as an alternative of the “conventional” flying increase of the KC-135 Stratotanker.
A number of weeks later, we additionally reported that A-10Cs deployed to the Center East in assist of Operation Epic Fury had been photographed utilizing the brand new probe whereas refueling from an HC-130J within the U.S. Central Command AOR (space of accountability). These plane, assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron from Selfridge ANGB, have been additionally carrying the Offended Kitten digital warfare pod, marking the primary time the pod had been publicly seen on deployed A-10s in an operational setting overseas.
A brand new launch from Moody Air Pressure Base, provides further particulars to the story.
In keeping with the twenty third Wing, Airmen at Moody accomplished the set up of the bottom’s first air refueling probe on an A-10C Thunderbolt II, with the aim to reinforce the plane’s skill to assist each fight search and rescue (CSAR) and shut air assist (CAS) missions.
Moody maintainers discovered in late April that the probes could be delivered to the bottom, obtained them on Might 11 and started set up on the primary of two plane on Might 13, 2026.
The discharge says the brand new probe permits A-10s to obtain gas from HC-130J plane beneath 10,000 ft, retaining the Warthogs nearer to the CSAR mission profile reasonably than forcing them to climb away from the working space to satisfy conventional tanker assist.
“It offers the A-10 a unique means of having the ability to refuel with the HC-130s,” mentioned Tech. Sgt. Wesley Zell, an A-10 refueling probe installer from Davis-Monthan Air Pressure Base. “Now they’ll go low stage, beneath 10,000 ft, refuel with the HC-130 and keep within the CSAR mission.”
One other noteworthy element is that the system permits two A-10s to refuel concurrently from an HC-130J. It is a vital distinction in comparison with conventional increase refueling with plane such because the KC-135, the place the move is restricted to 1 receiver at a time. For a two-ship of A-10s supporting a rescue package deal, having the ability to take gas collectively might scale back the time spent biking by the tanker and assist the plane return to the mission extra rapidly.
The twenty third Wing’s launch additionally offers some insights into the sensible aspect of the modification:
Set up usually takes roughly 4 hours to finish, although the workforce encountered challenges throughout the course of.
“We did encounter a difficulty whereas putting in the modified mount bolts that precipitated the nut-plates to cross thread, resulting in the removing of the refueling receptacle, costing us a number of hours,” Vargas mentioned.
Tech. Sgt. Wesley Zell, an A-10 refueling probe installer from Davis-Monthan Air Pressure Base, labored alongside Moody’s maintainers to finish the set up. Though the set up course of is mostly easy, eradicating present plane {hardware} and accurately putting in the mounting elements proved to be one of the tough elements of the modification.
“There’s been a number of points getting these bolts eliminated so we will put the probe on,” Zell mentioned. “These screws and bolts infrequently come out anyway, so doing that is the time-consuming a part of it. As soon as we get that half up, the set up of the probe may be very easy.”
Moody pilots from the 74th Fighter Squadron then performed familiarization flights with the brand new configuration. Capt. Ron Wayman was one of many pilots concerned in these flights.
“It was a cool expertise, one thing we’ve by no means completed earlier than,” Wayman mentioned. “Attending to do it with the HC-130s from Moody was a fairly cool expertise.”
Throughout pre-deployment preparations, Moody maintainers coordinated with SMEs (subject material consultants) from Davis-Monthan AFB:
“Davis-Monthan maintainers got here TDY to stroll us by the set up course of and learn how to implement modular pack-out kits offered to cut back reliance on conventional provide chains,” Tech. Sgt. Brent Vargas, 23d Upkeep Squadron fuels craftsman, mentioned.
In the long run, the image we get is that the probe refueling adapter is greater than only a technical workaround for the A-10’s dependence on KC-135 tankers whereas KC-46 certification stays pending: it’s a deployable, unit-level functionality that offers the Warthog extra flexibility within the particular mission units the place it nonetheless issues, particularly shut air assist and fight search and rescue.
Below new plans introduced by the Secretary of the Air Pressure, the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II will stay in U.S. Air Pressure service till at the very least 2030.
The brand new plan adjustments the unique timeline, which might have seen the A-10 fully withdrawn by fiscal yr 2029.
Though the extension at present runs solely till 2030, it’s going to reportedly hold two A-10 squadrons in service till that date, with one other squadron prolonged till 2029. The U.S. Air Pressure had beforehand favored a a lot quicker drawdown of A-10 operations, even requesting the retirement of your complete fleet in its 2026 price range proposal, a transfer later blocked by Congress.
In any case, for an plane that’s nonetheless approaching, a technique or one other, the ultimate years of its service life, the modification (along with the opposite upgrades we described right here), is a reminder that the A-10C remains to be seen as a priceless and versatile platform, one value adapting when pressing operational necessities name for brand new capabilities.
