EXERCISE REPORT // ‘HAWGSMOKE 2018’
Combat Aircraft reports from the biennial ‘Hawgsmoke’ A-10 weapons competition, held this year in Missouri.
US AIR FORCE A-10C Thunderbolt II squadrons gather every two years for several days to share in the camaraderie and fellowship of their close air support (CAS) aircraft and engage in an intense round of bombing, missile firing and tactical gunnery competitions. The event was inspired by the now defunct USAF air-to-ground gunnery meet ‘Gunsmoke’, the last of which took place in 1995 at Nellis AFB, Nevada. During 2000, the A-10 community decided to revive the tradition of such a biennial competition, but limited it to the Thunderbolt II — the result was ‘Hawgsmoke’.
With the exception of 2004, the event has taken place every two years since, this year’s being the ninth edition. ‘Hawgsmoke’ is traditionally hosted by the previous meet’s winning team with the caveat that a squadron is forbidden from holding the competition twice in a row. ‘Hawgsmoke 2016’ was grabbed by the 47th Fighter Squadron ‘Dogpatchers’ for the second time in succession, excluding them as the host unit for 2018. Normally the next best team takes the honors, but as this was Osan’s 25th FS ‘As…
