Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

250116-F-AD704-1178

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, prepares for takeoff at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The 47th Fighter Squadron conducts training for pilot initial qualification, transition, and instructor qualification in the A-10C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

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An afternoon on the flightline

Published Jan. 17, 2025
By Airman Samantha Melecio

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, prepares for takeoff at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The 47th Fighter Squadron conducts training for pilot initial qualification, transition, and instructor qualification in the A-10C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio) — 250116-F-AD704-1178

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, prepares for takeoff at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The 47th Fighter Squadron conducts training for pilot initial qualification, transition, and instructor qualification in the A-10C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The 47th Fighter Squadron’s mission was to train, educate and mentor the world’s finest attack pilots for the Combat Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio) — 250116-F-AD704-1156

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The 47th Fighter Squadron’s mission was to train, educate and mentor the world’s finest attack pilots for the Combat Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. Pre-flight checks serve as a critical review process, enabling pilots to verify the operational status and safety of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio) — 250116-F-AD704-1128

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Blake Hitchcock, 47th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. Pre-flight checks serve as a critical review process, enabling pilots to verify the operational status and safety of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft is on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft was the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio) — 250116-F-AD704-1060

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft is on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. The A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft was the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Holland, 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician, left, and Senior Airman Austin Perez, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron avionics technician, right, drill new safety wire holes in an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. Proper aircraft maintenance is crucial as it ensures the safety of the aircraft in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio) — 250116-F-AD704-1031

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ryan Holland, 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician, left, and Senior Airman Austin Perez, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron avionics technician, right, drill new safety wire holes in an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 16, 2025. Proper aircraft maintenance is crucial as it ensures the safety of the aircraft in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)