Technicians at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., are refurbishing an A-10A aircraft that they will soon convert to a remotely piloted weather research platform for the Navy, according to base officials. Until recently, the retired airframe served as a weapons loading trainer at the Arizona base. Specialists with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group have been working to remove the A-10s weapons, military-specific equipment, and return it to flying condition. The airplane will carry sensors in place of its 30-millimeter cannon to collect data on severe thunderstorms by flying directly through the storm cells, according to a Jan. 31 Davis-Monthan release. The conversion is expected to take about a year to complete.
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.