Alternative Cold War History 1994

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Air Strike

USAF Strike Aircraft

The primary purpose of these aircraft are to deliver ordinance onto enemy targets, these targets can range from the very tactical, such as a tank or bunker up to the strategic level, such as the strike targeting Libya’s dictator Muammar Kaddafi in 1986. Alternatively, some references refer to these platforms as ‘Attack’ aircraft.

F-117 NighthawkThe ‘Stealth Fighter’ had its combat debut in Panama, but came into its own during the Gulf war where 36 of them were deployed. These aircraft are the first to use low observable technology and rely on their stealth to penetrate deep into enemy territory and conduct precision strikes with laser guided bombs. Based at Holloman AFB in New Mexico the 49th Fighter Wing fields two operational squadrons and a conversion training squadron. In total 59 aircraft were produced but only 52 of them are operational.

Sqn Name Wing Location No. Type Remarks
7 FS Screamin' Demons 49th Holloman AFB, NM 12 F-117A Training Sqn
8 FS The Black Sheep 49th Holloman AFB, NM 18 F-117A
9 FS Flying Knights 49th Holloman AFB, NM 18 F-117A

F-111F Aardvark

The F-111 has a controversial history but proved its worth as a long range deep strike bomber during the Persian Gulf war and before that when bombing targets in Libya. This is high speed, long range, swept wing design with avionics that were very advanced when the ‘Varks’ were fielded in the 1960s. The FB-111 nuclear strike versions have been retired leaving two wings of tactical bombers, 38th Tactical Fighter Wing in the UK with the F-111E and the much improved F-111F in the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB.

Sqn Name Wing Location No. Type Remarks
77 FS All Aces, No Jokers 38th RAF Upper Heyford, UK 24 F-111E USAFE
78 FS Bushmasters 38th RAF Upper Heyford, UK 24 F-111E USAFE
79 FS Tigers 38th RAF Upper Heyford, UK 24 F-111E USAFE
428 FS Buccaneers 27th Cannon AFB, MN 32 F-111E/F Training Sqn
522 FS Fireballs 27th Cannon AFB, MN 24 F-111F
523 FS Crusaders 27th Cannon AFB, MN 24 F-111F
524 FS Hounds of Heaven 27th Cannon AFB, MN 24 F-111F

A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II

This aircraft is not generally known by its official name but is universally called the ‘Warthog’. The A-10 is rugged, adaptable and survivable, but most importantly it is deadly. Specifically designed to conduct Close Air Support (CAS) missions in the dangerous and difficult area between friendly and enemy ground troops, the A-10 carries up to 16,000 lbs of ordinance and a 30mm Gatling gun. A derivative of the A-10 is the OA-10 which constitutes about 1/3rd of the fleet and is designed to be an airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC) used to guide other aircraft onto targets, otherwise it has all the same capabilities as the A-10 and looks very similar. The ‘Hogs’ have seen extensive active service in the Balkans and the Gulf War. Some extensive reshuffling has occurred with these squadrons since the Gulf War but 21 squadrons remain in service including 5 ANG and 2 Air Reserve.

Sqn Name Wing Location No. Type Remarks
21 FS Gamblers 363rd Shaw AFB, SC 18 A/OA-10
25 FS Flying Elvises 51st Osan AB, S Korea 18 A/OA-10 PacAF
45 FS Hoosier Hogs 930th Grissom AFB, IN 18 A/OA-10
47 FS Dogcatchers 442nd Whiteman AFB, LA 18 A/OA-10 Air Reserve
55 FS Shooters 20th RAF Bentwaters, UK 18 A/OA-10 USAFE
75 FS Tiger Sharks 23rd Pope AFB, NC 18 A/OA-10
76 FS Brown Birds 23rd Pope AFB, NC 18 A/OA-10
81 FS Panthers 20th Spangdahlem AB, Ger 18 A/OA-10 USAFE
92 FS Avengers 20th RAF Bentwaters, UK 18 A/OA-10 USAFE
103 FS Black Hogs 111th Willow Grove 18 A/OA-10 ANG
104 FS Fighting Orioles 175th Baltimore 18 A/OA-10 ANG
118 FS Flying Yankees 103rd Bradley 18 A/OA-10 ANG
131 FS Barnestormers 104th Barns 18 A/OA-10 ANG
172 FS The Mad Ducks 110th Battle Creek 18 A/OA-10 ANG
303 FS KC Hawgs 442nd Whiteman AFB, LA 18 A/OA-10 Air Reserve
354 FS Bulldogs 355th Davis Monthan, AZ 18 A/OA-10
357 FS Dragons 355th Davis Monthan, AZ 18 A/OA-10
358 FS Lobos 355th Davis Monthan, AZ 18 A/OA-10
509 FS Skulls 10th RAF Alconbury, UK 18 A/OA-10 USAFE
510 FS Buzzards 10th RAF Bentwaters, UK 18 A/OA-10 USAFE
511 FS Hogs 10th RAF Alconbury, UK 18 A/OA-10 USAFE

A-7D Corsair II

This aircraft was supposed to be retired in 1993 after 25 years in USAF service, and even longer service in the USN and USMC. Commonly known as the SLUF (Short Little Ugly …Fella), the other name for this workhorse was ‘Bomb Truck’ because of its ability to carry about 20,000 lbs worth of ordinance. The ‘D’ versions were passed on the ANG starting 1973 and by the mid ‘80s were exclusively flown the Air Guard as the A-10s filled regular squadrons. Although 459 of this version were produced they now only equip three ANG Squadrons in Tucson, Arizona. All of the remaining aircraft have had the LANA (Low Altitude Night Attack) upgrade and have Pave Penny laser targeting pods. (72 instead of the actual 47 were converted).

Sqn Name Wing Location No. Type Remarks
148 FS Kickin' Ass 180th Tucson, AZ 18 A-7D ANG
152 FS Tigers 180th Tucson, AZ 18 A-7D ANG
195 FS Warhawks 180th Tucson, AZ 18 A-7D ANG