Hawgsmoke
Encyclopedia
Hawgsmoke is a biennial United States Air Force
bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II
units. It is hosted by the winners of the previous competition and provides both skills competition and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and fellowship within the A-10 community.
, high-altitude dive-bombing
, 30-degree dive-bombing, low-angle high-delivery, Maverick missile precision, and team tactics
.
.
Colonel
Cliff Latta of the 172d Fighter Squadron is credited with initiating the first Hawgsmoke competition at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan
and was hosted by the Michigan Air National Guard
's 172d Fighter Squadron from Battle Creek. A-10 units from around the world sent four aircraft and associated crew to compete in ground attack and target destruction events. The 118th Fighter Squadron from the Connecticut Air National Guard
won the first event and in turn hosted Hawgsmoke 2002, at Fort Drum
, New York
.
In 2002 17 teams and 62 aircraft competed. The overall winner was the four-member team from the 47th Fighter Squadron
from Barksdale Air Force Base
, Louisiana
. Hawgsmoke 2002 emphasized target acquisition and focused on accurately dropping practice bombs, firing the AGM-65 Maverick
missile, and strafing proficiency with the 30 mm GAU-8 gatling gun
.
Hawgsmoke 2004 was hosted by the 47th Fighter Squadron and held at England Air Park
, Louisiana. The competition grew to include 18 teams and more than 70 aircraft. Weather conditions forced the cancellation of the competition events and consequently the event became known as "Hawgwash" 2004.
As there was no winner in 2004 the 355th Fighter Wing
was selected to host the 2006 event. It was held 22–25 March at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
. Hawgsmoke 2006 coincided the 30th Anniversary of the A-10; consequently, over 140 aircraft flew in to take part. The 303d Fighter Squadron
from Whiteman Air Force Base
, Missouri
emerged the winner. In turn the 303d hosted Hawgsmoke 2008 at Smoky Hill Range, Kansas
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
units. It is hosted by the winners of the previous competition and provides both skills competition and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and fellowship within the A-10 community.
Operations
Remembering the fallen
Hawgsmoke opens with a remembrance ceremony for fallen comrades. Following the reading of the names of all fallen A-10 pilots, a missing-man formation flies overhead. At the conclusion, the participants drink a shot of whiskey then smash the shot glasses, in honor and remembrance of old friends and colleagues.Competition
The competition itself takes place over two days and includes team and individual scoring of strafingStrafing
Strafing is the practice of attacking ground targets from low-flying aircraft using aircraft-mounted automatic weapons. This means, that although ground attack using automatic weapons fire is very often accompanied with bombing or rocket fire, the term "strafing" does not specifically include the...
, high-altitude dive-bombing
Dive bomber
A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target reduces the distance the bomb has to fall, which is the primary factor in determining the accuracy of the drop...
, 30-degree dive-bombing, low-angle high-delivery, Maverick missile precision, and team tactics
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
.
History
Hawgsmoke grew out of the discontinued "Gunsmoke" Air Force Worldwide Gunnery Competition. Gunsmoke had been the US Air Force's air-to-ground gunnery and bombing competition involving multiple airframes, first held in 1949 and then biennially (except for 1963–1980) from 1954 to 1995 at Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
.
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Cliff Latta of the 172d Fighter Squadron is credited with initiating the first Hawgsmoke competition at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and was hosted by the Michigan Air National Guard
Michigan Air National Guard
The Michigan Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is, along with the Michigan Army National Guard, an element of the Michigan National Guard...
's 172d Fighter Squadron from Battle Creek. A-10 units from around the world sent four aircraft and associated crew to compete in ground attack and target destruction events. The 118th Fighter Squadron from the Connecticut Air National Guard
Connecticut Air National Guard
The Connecticut Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is, along with the Connecticut Army National Guard, an element of the Connecticut National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state...
won the first event and in turn hosted Hawgsmoke 2002, at Fort Drum
Fort Drum
Fort Drum is a United States Army base in New York near the Canadian border.Fort Drum may also refer to:*Fort Drum, Florida, a nearly-uninhabited town in the United States*Fort Drum , Philippines...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 2002 17 teams and 62 aircraft competed. The overall winner was the four-member team from the 47th Fighter Squadron
47th Fighter Squadron
The 47th Fighter Squadron is part of the 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and falls under the operational control of the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.-World War II:...
from Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-southeast of Bossier City, Louisiana.The host unit at Barksdale is the 2d Bomb Wing , the oldest Bomb Wing in the Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Hawgsmoke 2002 emphasized target acquisition and focused on accurately dropping practice bombs, firing the AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
missile, and strafing proficiency with the 30 mm GAU-8 gatling gun
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
.
England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located Northwest of Alexandria and about Northwest of New Orleans....
, Louisiana. The competition grew to include 18 teams and more than 70 aircraft. Weather conditions forced the cancellation of the competition events and consequently the event became known as "Hawgwash" 2004.
As there was no winner in 2004 the 355th Fighter Wing
355th Fighter Wing
The 355th Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command's Twelfth Air Force. It is stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, where in operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II...
was selected to host the 2006 event. It was held 22–25 March at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. Hawgsmoke 2006 coincided the 30th Anniversary of the A-10; consequently, over 140 aircraft flew in to take part. The 303d Fighter Squadron
303d Fighter Squadron
The 303d Fighter Squadron is part of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II in conducting close air support missions.-History:...
from Whiteman Air Force Base
Whiteman Air Force Base
Whiteman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately south of Knob Noster, Missouri; east-southeast of Kansas City, Missouri....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
emerged the winner. In turn the 303d hosted Hawgsmoke 2008 at Smoky Hill Range, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
List of winners
- 2000 – 118th Fighter Squadron
- 2002 – 47th Fighter Squadron47th Fighter SquadronThe 47th Fighter Squadron is part of the 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and falls under the operational control of the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.-World War II:...
- 2004 – None
- 2006 - 303d Fighter Squadron303d Fighter SquadronThe 303d Fighter Squadron is part of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II in conducting close air support missions.-History:...
- 2008 - 190th Fighter Squadron190th Fighter SquadronThe 190th Fighter Squadron flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Idaho Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 124th Fighter Wing. The squadron was deployed to the Middle-East in 2003 to support the 2003 invasion of Iraq...
- 2010 - 190th Fighter Squadron190th Fighter SquadronThe 190th Fighter Squadron flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Idaho Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 124th Fighter Wing. The squadron was deployed to the Middle-East in 2003 to support the 2003 invasion of Iraq...
2008 participants
- 25th Fighter Squadron25th Fighter SquadronThe 25th Fighter Squadron is part of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-History:...
- 45th Fighter Squadron
- 47th Fighter Squadron47th Fighter SquadronThe 47th Fighter Squadron is part of the 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and falls under the operational control of the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.-World War II:...
- 66th Weapons Squadron66th Weapons SquadronThe United States Air Force's 66th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force Weapons School A-10 Thunderbolt II instructional flying unit, at Nellis AFB, Nevada.-Overview:...
- 74th Fighter Squadron74th Fighter SquadronThe 74th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia....
- 75th Fighter Squadron75th Fighter SquadronThe 75th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group and stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia....
- 81st Fighter Squadron81st Fighter SquadronThe 81st Fighter Squadron is part of the 52d Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-Mission:...
- 103d Fighter Squadron103d Fighter SquadronThe 103d Fighter Squadron flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 111th Fighter Wing.-Lineage:...
- 104th Fighter Squadron104th Fighter SquadronThe 104th Fighter Squadron is an attack squadron equipped with the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Maryland Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 175th Wing.-Mission:...
- 172d Fighter Squadron
- 190th Fighter Squadron190th Fighter SquadronThe 190th Fighter Squadron flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a unit of the Idaho Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 124th Fighter Wing. The squadron was deployed to the Middle-East in 2003 to support the 2003 invasion of Iraq...
- 303d Fighter Squadron303d Fighter SquadronThe 303d Fighter Squadron is part of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II in conducting close air support missions.-History:...
- 354th Fighter Squadron354th Fighter SquadronThe 354th Fighter Squadron is part of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-Mission:...
- 357th Fighter Squadron357th Fighter SquadronThe 357th Fighter Squadron is part of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-Mission:...
- 358th Fighter Squadron358th Fighter SquadronThe 358th Fighter Squadron is part of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.-Mission:...
- 422d Test & Evaluation Squadron