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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force is grounding more than 100 planes used to support ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because of fatigue cracks in the wings, Air Force officials said Friday.

Aircraft like this A-10 Warthog provide close support to ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The officials said 127 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, including some used in the United States, will be grounded until they are each inspected for the cracks.

\"The inspections are a necessary step in addressing the risk associated with A-10 wing cracking, specifically with thin-skin wings. This risk is of great concern to the Air Force and is representative of a systemic problem for our aging Air Force fleet,\" the Air Force said.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the \"Warthog\" because of its unique un-aerodynamic look, is one of the Air Force's older aircraft, having first been delivered to the service in 1975. The average age of the A-10 fleet is now 28 years, but the entire Air Force fleet has an average age of 25 years, according to Air Force statistics.

The Air Force has more than 400 A-10s in its fleet. The cracks in the older A-10 A-models and A-10 C-models were discovered at Hill Air Force Base in Utah during routine maintenance.

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No A-10 has had an accident because of the cracks just discovered, according to Air Force officials.

The inspection of the 127 planes will give priority to the planes in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of battle, officials said.

The plane was designed as a tank killer, with a front-mounted Gatling gun that fires 30-mm armor-piercing ammunition capable of destroying a tank.

The planes are now primarily used in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect ground troops in close combat situations, flying low and slow and with the ability to target individuals hidden on mountainsides or rooftops.

Last year, the Air Force grounded hundreds of F-15 fighter jets after one fell apart during a training mission.

Author:	Dutchy [ 04 Oct 2008, 10:22 ]
Post subject:	A-10's inspection (af.mil)
Some news about the Warthogs http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123118250 Inspections ordered for A-10 Thunderbolt IIs 10/3/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials have issued a time compliance technical order requiring immediate inspection and repair of wing cracks for a portion of the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet. This action impacts approximately 130 A-10 aircraft with thin-skin wings installed during original manufacture and is being taken to ensure the continued operational safety of the aircraft. Such action has become necessary due to an increase in fatigue-related wing cracks currently occurring in aircraft assigned to Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and Air Force Materiel Command. The inspections are a necessary step in addressing the risk associated with A-10 wing cracking, specifically those aircraft with thin-skin wings. This risk is of great concern to Air Force leaders and is representative of a systemic problem for the aging Air Force fleet. Taking immediate action is necessary for the safety of aircrews and to bring the A-10 fleet back to health. Accordingly, AFMC officials are working closely with those in ACC and the other combat Air Force major commands to address all of the thin-skinned winged A-10s, with a priority focus being on the A-10s currently in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The A-10 is a valuable asset to joint warfighters because of its unique capabilities. It can deliver precision guided weapons at high altitudes, as well as surgical close-air support at low altitudes. The inspections, however, will not impact on-going or future operational combat missions.

Author:	Hawg166 [ 04 Oct 2008, 13:54 ]
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Wow nice to see the reporters are jonny on the spot with on time reporting. I guess a few years late aint bad. I, by the way have a great Billy and Goose story about how 166 got new wings, but I had shoulder surgery yesterday and typing with one hand really sucks so I will hold off till I can use the other hand also.

Author:	Old Chief [ 04 Oct 2008, 14:03 ]
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Quote: Wow nice to see the reporters are jonny on the spot with on time reporting. I guess a few years late aint bad. This is a new inspection Bill. Hog-up didn't fix everything they thought it would. There's also a new inspection for thrust mounts which drives double engine drops every phase. The old girl is showing her age and proving once again that Fairchild knew what they were doing when they assigned the original airframe life. OC

Author:	Coach [ 04 Oct 2008, 18:45 ]
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This could be bad... Coach

Author:	jackb [ 04 Oct 2008, 20:49 ]
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The thick-skin inspections completed before we left Moody weren't looking too good. I just finished taking apart the first jet tonight for this new thin-skin TCTO. We'll see how it goes....

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Author:	Old Chief [ 05 Oct 2008, 01:02 ]
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You're right Coach, this could be bad. I don't think it's A-7 bad but it may push up the wing contract..which of course will cost more money. OC Quote: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Air Force is grounding more than 100 planes used to support ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because of fatigue cracks in the wings, Air Force officials said Friday. Aircraft like this A-10 Warthog provide close support to ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The officials said 127 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, including some used in the United States, will be grounded until they are each inspected for the cracks. \"The inspections are a necessary step in addressing the risk associated with A-10 wing cracking, specifically with thin-skin wings. This risk is of great concern to the Air Force and is representative of a systemic problem for our aging Air Force fleet,\" the Air Force said. The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the \"Warthog\" because of its unique un-aerodynamic look, is one of the Air Force's older aircraft, having first been delivered to the service in 1975. The average age of the A-10 fleet is now 28 years, but the entire Air Force fleet has an average age of 25 years, according to Air Force statistics. The Air Force has more than 400 A-10s in its fleet. The cracks in the older A-10 A-models and A-10 C-models were discovered at Hill Air Force Base in Utah during routine maintenance. Don't Miss Envoy: Better coordination will cut civilian deaths No A-10 has had an accident because of the cracks just discovered, according to Air Force officials. The inspection of the 127 planes will give priority to the planes in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of battle, officials said. The plane was designed as a tank killer, with a front-mounted Gatling gun that fires 30-mm armor-piercing ammunition capable of destroying a tank. The planes are now primarily used in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect ground troops in close combat situations, flying low and slow and with the ability to target individuals hidden on mountainsides or rooftops. Last year, the Air Force grounded hundreds of F-15 fighter jets after one fell apart during a training mission.

Author:	Bacon Bits [ 05 Oct 2008, 11:28 ]
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What A-10's are affected FY wise? USAFE doesnt get mentioned, they have predominately FY81....a few 82, an 80, a 78? and a 79. Hours wise on the airframe, the 'Panthers' Hog's were inherited from the 'Twinbases' (apart from the 2 ex AK jets) and have shit loads of hours. They had some pretty good useage in the UK. Back in 1990, when USAFE acquired some FY76 Hogs from DM, they had less hours than some of the later models.

Author:	sgtgoose1 [ 05 Oct 2008, 17:27 ]
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Well , look at the loads that were used on an aircraft that was only to be used \"10 years basically\" or if the \" Balloon \" went up to stop \"the commies\" in the Cold war. Their going to \"Really HAVE TO Beef her up\" wing wise probably more than before (I guess this is the new wing contract) and if they haven't already \"Another Set of \"MLG Struts\" after we changed them out in the late 80's . Your Right Chief, Fairchild/Republic \"KNEW HOW TO BUILD A JET\" Skip some of these \" Newfangled \" airframes in the works , there still needed but \"Build new \"Hawg's\" they were \"$8 million\" each before even if they tack on $20 million its well worth it. Just Like the BUFF, They'll go down as the USAF's Greatest Aircraft of all time, Goose

Author:	Bacon Bits [ 05 Oct 2008, 21:17 ]
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sgtgoose1 wrote: Just Like the BUFF, They'll go down as the USAF's Greatest Aircraft of all time, I agree, and to think if it hadn't been for Desert Storm, the whole lot would have been gathering dust at the boneyard.

Author:	sgtgoose1 [ 06 Oct 2008, 02:00 ]
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Those were \"Scary Days\" in early 1990\" Goose

Author:	Dutchy [ 08 Oct 2008, 10:52 ]
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New article and pics by the article. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123118495

Author:	Dice-man [ 08 Oct 2008, 13:13 ]
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Looks like wing station 90 to me.

Author:	TinyGiant [ 08 Oct 2008, 14:28 ]
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Coach wrote: This could be bad... It is, but they're working it. Further info from DM will hopefully stay off the public forum, but if you're interested (and I know ya and you have a .mil), I'll pass some words via email.

Author:	Dutchy [ 08 Oct 2008, 22:41 ]
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News from Hawgsmoke and the A-10 inspections. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123118882

Author:	TheLastRaven [ 10 Oct 2008, 00:52 ]
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jack and OC: If you guys have any info on how these TCTOs are going, let me know at my .mil, please. Actually, anyone else for that matter...I am working on a nice little collection of cross-tell type stuff of mishaps and major TCTO findings, so any little bit helps.

Author:	majormadmax [ 13 Oct 2008, 16:14 ]
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Update...more info in the link at the end of the article... Progressing \"Safely\" on A-10 Inspections: Air Combat Command has 56 of the 130 A-10 Warthogs undergoing special inspection for increased fatigue cracking, causing some concern about meeting requirements for US Central Command's ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan areas of responsibility. However, Maj. David Ruth, with the ACC A-10 Weapons System Team, maintains the command has \"some capability within … the A-10 fleet to meet AOR commitments.\" There are some 350 A-10s service-wide, including those in training, test, and routine maintenance status. ACC's A-10 maintenance crews began their inspections early Oct. 3, the day USAF announced the new technical-compliance order, pulling the affected aircraft off the flying schedule, according to Lt. Col. David Trucksa, ACC chief of flight management. He added, \"ACC maintainers will never provide an airplane to a pilot that is known to be unsafe; it will meet all safety standards.\" Air Force Material Command engineers have been analyzing fatigue testing data for years on the portion of USAF's A-10 fleet that have so-called thin-skin wings, Ruth said, noting that the program to begin replacing those wings begins in 2010 and will run through 2016. However, recent depot repair work showed a propensity for some of the aircraft to develop more critical cracks that must receive immediate repair. Once they identify a problem aircraft, ACC officials are working with AFMC experts to develop repair timelines based on the location, size, and orientation of the cracks. (ACC report by MSgt. Steven Goetsch) Cheers! M2

Author:	jackb [ 13 Oct 2008, 16:57 ]
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TheLastRaven wrote: jack and OC: If you guys have any info on how these TCTOs are going, let me know at my .mil, please. Actually, anyone else for that matter...I am working on a nice little collection of cross-tell type stuff of mishaps and major TCTO findings, so any little bit helps. PM sent

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