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July 2016 Thunderbolt
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AZ Reserve unit dominates at Hawgsmoke
by Tech. Sgt. Courtesy photo categories of the competition. Our pilots,
LOUIS VEGA Jr. maintainers and their AFRC jets did an
An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 924th Fighter Group performs a low-angle absolutely incredible job and definitely
944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs strafe during the 2016 Hawgsmoke competition at the Barry M. Goldwater Range showcased the 924th FG, AFRC and TFI
June 2. Hawgsmoke is a biennial competition focused on tactics the A-10C can em- at D-M.”
DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE ploy during combat operations.
BASE, Ariz. — Pilots from the 47th FS The rst Hawgsmoke competition was
with the Air Force Reserve Command dem- the nest and most well organized Haw- target and then conduct stra ng runs. The in 2000 when A-10 units across the globe
onstrated their experience and expertise on gsmoke competitions I have ever seen,” pilots were scored on accuracy and ability. competed in ground attacks and target
the ground and in the air by winning the said Col. Thomas McNurlin, 924th Fighter destruction.
Hawgsmoke 2016 competition. Group commander. “To showcase total force Waring explained the groups were tasked
integration, lieutenant colonel Waring is to ‘mass res’ within a 10-minute window, “I would like to recognize our maintainers
Thirteen teams competed in biennial assigned to the 47th FS, but is one of our with more than 60 individual targets and as well as those from our sister AFRC A-10
A-10C Thunderbolt II competition June 1 regular Air Force active associate members aim points. They had four tactical, overlap- unit assigned to the 442nd Maintenance
through 3. This year’s event concentrated leading the mission for AFRC.” ping threats to contend with that were ap- Group at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mis-
on two major areas: the tactical massing propriate for an opposed close-air support souri,” McNurlin said. “They volunteered
of res in minimum time in an opposed The three-day event was kicked off with scenario that represented modern and lega- to help and sent a signi cant MX footprint
environment, and conventional weapons a solemn Hawg remembrance ceremony for cy air defense systems (SA-15, 2S6, Roland here to lead operations from Snowbird
delivery. fallen comrades. Following the reading of II, and ZSU-23-4). Every unit successfully which was the only way we were able to
the names of all fallen A-10 pilots, a miss- engaged approximately 20 targets within make this competition happen with our
The winning team, 47th FS, included the ing-man formation ew overhead. At the this window. The winners successfully tar- current 48 percent maintenance manning. I
ight lead Capt. David Knighton and Capts. conclusion of the ceremony, the participants geted more than 30 while demonstrating couldn’t be more proud of what our Airmen
Tyler Shipman, Keith Madsen, and Simon drank a shot of whiskey then smashed the an effective stand-off survivability with all have accomplished.”
Long. Knighton was selected as the over- shot glasses in honor and remembrance of manner of precision and accurate classes of
all Top Gun, which is the rst time in the old friends and colleagues. weapons. The only restriction was, that they Hawgsmoke 2016 results:
history of Hawgsmoke the ight lead from could not employ the gun. 45 high altitude dive bomb:
the winning team was was selected for this “This tradition among yers dates back 1. Capt. David Knighton, 47th FS
distinction. Together they proved the 47th to World War I, when combat aviation rst “All of the competitors found the scenario 2. 1st Lt. Christopher Shelley, 76th FS
FS is the best of the best in the Air Force. appeared in battle,” Waring said. “After a to be extremely challenging tactically, and 3. Maj. John Meyers, 25th FS
“AFRC’s pilots are a very experienced mission, the survivors were given a shot of they all walked away learning more about 30 Dive bomb, heading and altitude
group of aviators,” Knighton said. “Even whiskey to calm their nerves.” employment options in such an environ- reference system and degraded de-
though the 47th FS team was comprised of ment,” Waring said. livery:
the four youngest members of the squadron, The next day it was straight to business 1. Capt. Tyler Shipman, 47th FS
we were able to put up some formidable with four ships of A-10s from each of the 13 “Winning Hawgsmoke in 2014 was an 2. Maj. Jeff Sliwoski, Air National Guard
competition amongst a very talented group teams taking off and demonstrating their incredibly proud moment for me,” McNurlin
of pilots. These pilots have dedicated their skills on the Barry M. Goldwater Range. said. “Being the rst new unit equipped AFRC test center
entire military careers to providing the best This year each team had to drop bombs on fighter organization in AFRC since the 3. Capt. Ryan Yingling, 104th FS
close-air support possible to the front line 944th FW stood up in 1987, we were work- 10 low angle high drag pop-up:
Soldiers on the ground. I think, had our ing hard just to keep operating and not 1. Capt. Simon Long, 47th FFS
team not been brought up by such experi- fail at the mission. When our pilots and 2. Lt. Col. Alan McCracken, ANG AFRC
enced A-10 instructor pilots, we would not maintainers went out there and proved
have performed as well.” they were the best in the Air Force, it quite test center
The 47th FS also won the last competi- frankly surprised me but de nitely shows 3. Capt. David Knighton, 47th FS
tion in 2014 when it was hosted by the the quality of our Airmen in the 924th FG. Long-range strafe:
355th Fighter Wing also at D-M. As the I never thought in a million years we would 1. Lt. Col. John Marks, 303rd FS
previous year’s winner it meant that the win it again much less almost sweep all 2. Capt. Ben Best, 107th FS
47th FS was also the host of the event. Low angle strafe:
“Lt. Col. Brett Waring’s planning and 1. Capt. Josh Woodard, 354th FS
execution of this competition surpassed 2. Capt. Max Sery, 25th FS
all expectations putting together one of Top conventional team
Maj. Jeff Watterberg
47th FS
Top tactical team
Capt. Steve Phillis
25th FS, Osan Air Base, South Korea
Top overall pilot
Lt. Col. Robert Brown
Capt. David Knighton
47th FS
Top overall team
Col. Al Moore Trophy
47th FS
Courtesy photo Courtesy photo
Lt. Col. Brett Waring, 47th FS Hawgsmoke project lead, answers questions for the An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 924th Fighter Group, Davis-Monthan Air
media June 1 before the Fallen Hawg remembrance ceremony at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, performs a flying maneuver during the 2016 Hawgsmoke competition at
Force Base. Barry M. Goldwater Range June 2. The first Hawgsmoke competition began in 2002
where A-10 units across the globe competed in ground attacks and target destruction.
