The Fairchild Republic A10 Thunderbolt II, the Warthog, has been earmarked for retirement for over a decade, but what is happening today with the men and women who keep the Hogs flying into their sixth decade? Col Nick 'Stoli' Radoescu is the commander of the 355th Operations Group based at @DavisMonthanPA. He oversees the operations of four squadrons of A10s and their support units, including the training of the next generation of Hog drivers. Stoli kindly sat down with Boney to chat about his career, the A10 today and the future of the Close Air Support mission in the USAF, with the spectre of the F35 hanging over the venerable Hog.

★Find out more about the 355th Operations Group here: https://www.dm.af.mil/AboutDM/Units/...
★Learn more about DavisMonthan Air Force Base here: https://www.dm.af.mil/

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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:48 Stolis's Journey to the Air Force
05:44 First A10 Flight and Firing the Gun
11:27 Training and Future of the A10
18:39 Technological Advancements in the A10
23:57 Incorporating New Weapons and Systems
25:35 Deployment Experiences and Mission Evolution
32:12 Challenges and Changes in the A10 Community
42:51 Memorable Combat Stories
47:22 Conclusion