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Colonel Kim Nichole Reed-Campbell flew the A-10 in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. On April 7, 2003, during the Iraq War, her A-10 was hit by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire over Baghdad. She and her wingman were providing air support for US ground troops engaged with Iraqi forces on a bridge over the Tigris River.
During a mission over Baghdad on 7 April 2003, Campbell's aircraft (A-10A s/n 81-0987) suffered extensive damage from enemy fire. "We did our job with the guys there on the ground, and as we were on our way out is when I felt the jet get hit. It was pretty obvious — it was loud... I lost all hydraulics instantaneously, and the jet rolled left and pointed toward the ground, which was an uncomfortable feeling over Baghdad. It didn't respond to any of my control inputs."
I came across an interesting interview of "KC" Campbell and her experiences as an A-10 pilot where she describes her journey to becoming a fighter pilot and her deployments. An interview that is not a policy wonk interview. I believe that there is still a place for the A-10 and their pilots for close air support, for boots on the ground, in the current conflicts to this day.
The video is about 48 minutes long but for those who have not served in the military, it offers a look at what you don't hear from the briefing podium in DC, or from the Pentagon. For those who have served and have their own stories to tell I think you'll find her story interesting.
Discussion (7)
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And those nitwits in the Pentagon want to retire this wonderful aircraft . . .
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It's being effectively retired regardless, because there haven't been any new ones made for a long time.
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Speaking of half of one wing missing, here's the cover art of a book from Osprey Publishing:
If you look at the F9F Panther at the top, you will see that several feet of its right wing has just been sheared off by a wire that the North Koreans had strung across the valley through which it just flew. Remarkably, that airplane remained airborne and under enough control for the pilot to make it back to the vicinity of friendly airfield and eject safely. Even more remarkable is that pilot's name was Neil Armstrong, who would become the first man to set foot on the moon.
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Well, if we are going to talk flying on one wing, I give you the F-15.
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