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Narrator: IT'S MEAN...
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00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,841
IT'S UGLY...
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AND IT'S THE AIRCRAFT
GROUND TROOPS CALL ON FIRST
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00:00:12,079 --> 00:00:13,612
WHEN THEY'RE CAUGHT IN A JAM.
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Woman: THEY WERE TAKING FIRE
AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.
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00:00:19,152 --> 00:00:21,120
Narrator: ITS WEAPON OF CHOICE?
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THE MOST POWERFUL
GATLING-TYPE CANNON
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IN THE AIR FORCE INVENTORY.
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00:00:25,393 --> 00:00:30,295
Man: IT'S CAPABLE OF FIRING
70 ROUNDS PER SECOND.
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00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:31,663
Man: THEY ARE THREATENED
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00:00:31,665 --> 00:00:33,799
JUST BY THE SOUND
OF THE AIRPLANE.
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00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:36,701
Narrator: THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT
IS THE AIRCRAFT
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00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:39,405
THAT CHANGED THE DEFINITION
OF CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.
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00:00:39,473 --> 00:00:42,340
Man: EVERY ASPECT OF HOW
WE PUT THE A-10 TOGETHER
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00:00:42,343 --> 00:00:44,276
WAS LIKE A RADICAL INNOVATION.
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00:00:44,344 --> 00:00:45,989
Narrator:
IT'S CAUSED MORE CONTROVERSY
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00:00:46,013 --> 00:00:48,413
THAN ANY OTHER
AIR FORCE FIGHTER.
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00:00:48,482 --> 00:00:51,149
Woman:
THE A-10 SEEMED TO VIOLATE
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EVERY PRECEPT OF STREAMLINED,
HIGH-SPEED DESIGN.
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Narrator:
AND SOME OF ITS TOUGHEST BATTLES
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00:00:56,824 --> 00:00:59,758
WERE AGAINST THE VERY PEOPLE
WHO BROUGHT IT TO LIFE.
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00:00:59,826 --> 00:01:01,604
Man: THE AIR FORCE
HAD NO INTENTION
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00:01:01,628 --> 00:01:03,062
OF DEPLOYING THE AIRPLANE.
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00:01:17,511 --> 00:01:19,711
Narrator: 2012.
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OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM,
AFGHANISTAN.
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NATO HAS BEEN WAGING WAR
AGAINST THE TALIBAN
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FOR 11 LONG AND DEADLY YEARS.
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OVER 60,000 U.S. SOLDIERS
HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.
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THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT
IS THERE, TOO.
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Paul Zurkowski: THE A-10s
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HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL
PART OF THE OPERATION
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SINCE THE BEGINNING.
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Narrator: LIEUTENANT COLONEL
PAUL ZURKOWSKI
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WAS COMMANDER
OF AN A-10 SQUADRON
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IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
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Zurkowski: WE PROVIDED
PRETTY MUCH 24-HOUR COVERAGE
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WITH THE A-10,
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WHERE WE HAD AIRPLANES AIRBORNE
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JUST ABOUT ALL HOURS
OF THE DAY AND NIGHT.
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Narrator: IN MAY,
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
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ANNOUNCES THAT
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
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WILL SOON COME TO AN END.
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President Obama:
WE'RE NOW UNIFIED BEHIND A PLAN
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TO RESPONSIBLY WIND DOWN
THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.
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00:02:16,437 --> 00:02:19,571
Narrator: COALITION FORCES
COUNT DOWN TO A TIME
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WHEN THEY CAN LEAVE
THE WAR FAR BEHIND.
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00:02:22,910 --> 00:02:26,311
BUT THE TALIBAN HAS OTHER PLANS.
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THEY DON'T INTEND TO LET
THE AMERICANS GET OUT ALIVE.
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[MEN SHOUTING]
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JUNE 2012.
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AT BAGRAM AIR FIELD,
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ZURKOWSKI AND HIS WINGMAN
PREPARE THEIR A-10s FOR FLIGHT.
53
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BUT MOMENTS AFTER TAKEOFF,
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THE ROUTINE MISSION
TURNS INTO SOMETHING MORE.
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Zurkowski: WE WERE RE-ROLLED
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00:02:58,212 --> 00:03:02,614
TO WHAT IS CALLED
"TROOPS IN CONTACT."
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THAT MEANT SOMEBODY
ON THE GROUND WAS TAKING FIRE
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00:03:04,918 --> 00:03:07,485
AND THEY WERE
REQUESTING SUPPORT.
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Narrator: THAT SOMEBODY
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00:03:08,555 --> 00:03:12,057
IS A 90-MEMBER
SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM.
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00:03:12,125 --> 00:03:16,228
THEY'RE RETURNING FROM A MISSION
DEEP IN TALIBAN TERRITORY.
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Zurkowski: THEY WERE
WORKING UP A SPINE
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OR A RIDGE LINE
BETWEEN TWO RIVERS
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TO A HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE,
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00:03:22,402 --> 00:03:25,537
WHERE THEY HAD PLANNED
TO BE PICKED UP.
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00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:26,771
THEY WERE COMPLETE
WITH THEIR MISSION.
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00:03:26,774 --> 00:03:28,640
THEY JUST NEEDED
TO GET UP THE SPINE
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00:03:28,642 --> 00:03:31,977
AND GET ON A HELICOPTER
TO GO HOME.
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00:03:31,979 --> 00:03:34,513
Narrator: TWO MILES BELOW
THE PICKUP POINT,
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THE TEAM IS AMBUSHED
BY TALIBAN FIGHTERS.
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NOW THE SAFE HAVEN
OF THE LANDING ZONE
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00:03:41,322 --> 00:03:45,590
MIGHT AS WELL BE
A MILLION MILES AWAY.
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Zurkowski: AT THAT POINT,
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00:03:46,727 --> 00:03:48,104
THERE'S SO MUCH GUNFIRE
ON THE GROUND,
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00:03:48,128 --> 00:03:50,796
THEY CAN'T EVEN BRING
THE HELICOPTERS IN YET.
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00:03:50,864 --> 00:03:52,308
Narrator:
THE SOLDIERS ON THE GROUND
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ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED.
78
00:03:56,036 --> 00:04:00,405
TO GET OUT ALIVE,
THEY HAVE JUST ONE HOPE:
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THE A-10.
80
00:04:02,942 --> 00:04:04,520
Zurkowski: THERE WERE
90 GUYS ON THE GROUND
81
00:04:04,544 --> 00:04:06,745
THAT WERE THREATENED
BY ENEMY FIRE,
82
00:04:06,813 --> 00:04:11,216
AND IT WAS AN IMPERATIVE THAT
WE GET IN THERE AND HELP THEM.
83
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AT THAT POINT,
WE JUST PUSHED IT UP
84
00:04:13,486 --> 00:04:16,388
AND GOT THERE
AS QUICK AS WE COULD.
85
00:04:16,456 --> 00:04:18,134
Narrator:
WHEN MARINES AND ARMY TROOPS
86
00:04:18,158 --> 00:04:20,158
ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE ENEMY,
87
00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,294
THEY WANT JUST ONE AIRCRAFT:
88
00:04:22,362 --> 00:04:24,262
THE A-10.
89
00:04:24,331 --> 00:04:27,366
Paul Doran: WHAT WE GOT HERE
IS THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT II,
90
00:04:27,434 --> 00:04:28,967
MORE COMMONLY KNOWN
AS THE WARTHOG,
91
00:04:28,969 --> 00:04:31,236
OR JUST "THE HOG"
BY THOSE WHO FLY IT.
92
00:04:31,238 --> 00:04:32,571
Narrator: THE WARTHOG:
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00:04:32,639 --> 00:04:36,308
IT'S THE ULTIMATE GOLD STANDARD
FOR CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.
94
00:04:36,376 --> 00:04:39,911
Doran: CLOSE AIR SUPPORT IS
PROTECTING TROOPS ON THE GROUND.
95
00:04:39,913 --> 00:04:41,557
WE WORK CLOSELY
WITH THOSE TROOPS
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00:04:41,581 --> 00:04:43,515
TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE
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00:04:43,583 --> 00:04:47,652
TO EFFECTIVELY OPERATE SAFELY
ON A COMPLEX BATTLEFIELD,
98
00:04:47,655 --> 00:04:50,188
AND WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT
FIREPOWER TO HELP THEM DO IT.
99
00:04:50,190 --> 00:04:53,658
Narrator: GREAT FIREPOWER
IS THE A-10'S SPECIALTY.
100
00:04:53,661 --> 00:04:58,430
THE WARTHOG IS BASICALLY A GUN
WITH AN AIRPLANE ATTACHED.
101
00:04:58,498 --> 00:05:02,567
Doran: THE A-10 GUN
IS CALLED THE GAU-8 AVENGER,
102
00:05:02,635 --> 00:05:05,103
OR JUST "THE GUN"
BY A-10 PILOTS.
103
00:05:05,171 --> 00:05:06,838
IT'S 21 FEET LONG.
104
00:05:06,906 --> 00:05:11,109
IT'S THE HEAVIEST GUN, AUTOMATIC
CANNON, MOUNTED ON AIRCRAFT.
105
00:05:11,177 --> 00:05:14,713
IT WEIGHS MORE THAN 4,000 POUNDS
WHEN IT'S FULLY LOADED.
106
00:05:14,781 --> 00:05:16,481
Narrator: THE AVENGER'S MAGAZINE
107
00:05:16,550 --> 00:05:21,252
HOLDS OVER A THOUSAND ROUNDS
OF 30-MILLIMETER AMMUNITION,
108
00:05:21,321 --> 00:05:25,023
SPIT OUT AT
70 ROUNDS PER SECOND.
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00:05:25,092 --> 00:05:26,991
Doran: IT'S EFFECTIVE ENOUGH
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00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:30,161
TO KILL ARMORED VEHICLES, TANKS,
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS,
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00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:33,631
ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO SMALL SOFT POINT TARGETS.
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00:05:33,700 --> 00:05:35,300
WE CAN USE IT
AGAINST MOVING TARGETS,
113
00:05:35,302 --> 00:05:36,679
WE CAN USE IT AGAINST
STATIC TARGETS,
114
00:05:36,703 --> 00:05:38,036
WE CAN USE IT AGAINST BUILDINGS.
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00:05:38,104 --> 00:05:39,304
PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING
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THAT A REALLY POWERFUL GUN
CAN BE USED FOR
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WE USE IT AGAINST.
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00:05:42,542 --> 00:05:44,109
Narrator:
THE GUN ISN'T JUST POWERFUL;
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IT'S PRECISE.
120
00:05:45,846 --> 00:05:47,779
4,000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND,
121
00:05:47,847 --> 00:05:51,850
THE WARTHOG CAN STRIKE
WITHIN 40 FEET OF ITS TARGET.
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00:05:51,852 --> 00:05:53,896
Doran: YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT
ANYTHING WITHIN THAT 40 FEET
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00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,388
IS NOT GOING TO HAVE A GOOD DAY.
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00:05:56,456 --> 00:05:58,857
Narrator:
THE A-10'S 30-MILLIMETER CANNON
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00:05:58,925 --> 00:06:01,593
IS ONLY PART
OF ITS PAYLOAD PACKAGE.
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00:06:01,595 --> 00:06:03,373
Doran: THE A-10 CAN CARRY
A MIX OF ORDNANCE.
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00:06:03,397 --> 00:06:04,974
PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING
THE AIR FORCE PRODUCES
128
00:06:04,998 --> 00:06:06,576
WE CAN HANG
ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS JET
129
00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:08,677
AND USE IN OUR
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSION.
130
00:06:08,701 --> 00:06:11,569
THE OUTER PYLONS ARE RESERVED
FOR LIGHTER ORDNANCE,
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00:06:11,638 --> 00:06:13,048
SPECIFICALLY
AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES.
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00:06:13,072 --> 00:06:15,206
AS YOU MOVE INBOARD,
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00:06:15,209 --> 00:06:18,143
WE MOUNT SENSORS, FLARES,
AND SOME ROCKETS
134
00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:20,011
OUT ON THE OUTER PYLONS.
135
00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:21,791
AS WE MOVE IN TOWARDS
THE CENTER OF THE PLANE,
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00:06:21,815 --> 00:06:23,348
WE CAN CARRY HEAVIER ORDNANCE,
137
00:06:23,350 --> 00:06:25,950
SO AIR-TO-SURFACE
PRECISION-GUIDED MISSILES.
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00:06:26,052 --> 00:06:30,121
AND THE BOMBS ARE MOST COMMONLY
LOADED ON THE INBOARD STATION.
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00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:32,691
THIS RIGHT HERE IS KNOWN
AS A TRIPLE EJECTOR RACK,
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00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:36,828
SO THE T.E.R. CAN CARRY
THREE BOMBS, 500 POUND EACH.
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00:06:36,830 --> 00:06:39,764
IT CAN ALSO PUT ROCKET PODS
WITH SEVEN ROCKETS EACH
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00:06:39,767 --> 00:06:41,065
ON THESE STATIONS.
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00:06:41,134 --> 00:06:44,803
SO YOU CAN PICTURE THE VARIETY
AND NUMBER OF ORDNANCE
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00:06:44,871 --> 00:06:48,373
THAT THE A-10 CAN CARRY INTO
THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT.
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00:06:48,475 --> 00:06:51,843
Narrator: IT'S NOT GOING
TO WIN ANY BEAUTY CONTESTS.
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00:06:51,911 --> 00:06:53,745
BUT FOR GENERATIONS OF SOLDIERS,
147
00:06:53,813 --> 00:06:57,715
THE A-10 AND ITS PILOTS
HAVE BEEN A LIFESAVER.
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00:06:57,784 --> 00:07:00,151
Doran:
IF I DO MY JOB CORRECTLY,
149
00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:02,187
MORE AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN
ARE COMING HOME SAFELY
150
00:07:02,189 --> 00:07:03,655
AT THE END OF THE DAY.
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00:07:03,723 --> 00:07:04,990
[ROCKET FIRES]
152
00:07:05,058 --> 00:07:05,791
[GUNFIRE]
153
00:07:05,859 --> 00:07:07,725
Narrator: IN AFGHANISTAN,
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00:07:07,794 --> 00:07:12,397
ZURKOWSKI AND HIS WINGMAN
FLY FAST THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.
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00:07:12,465 --> 00:07:15,767
IT TAKES JUST MINUTES
TO GET TO THE FIREFIGHT.
156
00:07:15,835 --> 00:07:17,146
Zurkowski:
WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED,
157
00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:18,736
WE HAD OTHER ASSETS ON STATION
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00:07:18,739 --> 00:07:20,516
THAT WERE
SUPPORTING THE MISSION.
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00:07:20,540 --> 00:07:24,342
THERE WAS AN AC-130, AN MC-12,
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00:07:24,411 --> 00:07:27,245
AND THEN THERE WAS A B-1
THAT WAS ABOVE HIM.
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00:07:27,313 --> 00:07:28,991
Narrator:
THE A-10s SOON DISCOVERED
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THAT TROUBLE
ISN'T JUST ON THE GROUND;
163
00:07:31,718 --> 00:07:33,818
IT'S IN THE AIR, TOO.
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00:07:33,821 --> 00:07:36,054
Zurkowski:
THERE WAS A PRETTY GOOD CELL
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00:07:36,122 --> 00:07:38,857
OR RAIN STORM
THAT WAS DEVELOPING.
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00:07:38,925 --> 00:07:41,659
THE ENEMIES TACTICALLY
USED THIS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.
167
00:07:41,728 --> 00:07:43,962
SO THEY HAD WAITED FOR THE
WEATHER TO ROLL INTO THE VALLEY
168
00:07:43,964 --> 00:07:46,865
BEFORE THEY STARTED TO SHOOT.
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00:07:46,933 --> 00:07:48,411
Narrator:
AS THE WEATHER ROLLS IN,
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00:07:48,435 --> 00:07:51,703
COALITION PLANES ARE FORCED
TO FLY LOWER AND LOWER,
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00:07:51,771 --> 00:07:56,174
OR RISK CRASHING INTO
A CLOUD-COVERED MOUNTAIN.
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FOR THE A-10s,
FLYING LOW IS NO PROBLEM.
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00:08:00,113 --> 00:08:02,914
Zurkowski:
WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY
TO WORK IN POOR WEATHER,
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00:08:02,916 --> 00:08:05,027
WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO WORK
AT LOW ALTITUDE
175
00:08:05,051 --> 00:08:07,230
AND PROVIDE FIRE SUPPORT
TO THE GUYS ON THE GROUND
176
00:08:07,254 --> 00:08:08,786
WHEN THEY NEED IT.
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00:08:08,789 --> 00:08:10,054
Narrator: BUT THE OTHER PLANES
178
00:08:10,123 --> 00:08:12,257
ARE DESIGNED TO FLY
HIGH AND FAST.
179
00:08:12,325 --> 00:08:15,293
NAVIGATING THE RAIN CLOUDS
IS TOO MUCH OF A RISK.
180
00:08:15,361 --> 00:08:16,528
Zurkowski: AT THAT POINT,
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00:08:16,596 --> 00:08:18,930
THERE WASN'T ENOUGH ROOM
UNDERNEATH THE WEATHER
182
00:08:18,999 --> 00:08:21,066
WHERE THEY COULD OPERATE SAFELY.
183
00:08:21,134 --> 00:08:23,735
THEY, ONE BY ONE,
STARTED TO CHECK OUT
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00:08:23,737 --> 00:08:26,538
BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T
PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT.
185
00:08:26,540 --> 00:08:27,739
Narrator: BY NOW,
186
00:08:27,807 --> 00:08:31,743
THE A-10 PILOTS
CAN BARELY SEE THE GROUND.
187
00:08:31,811 --> 00:08:33,656
Zurkowski:
OPERATING IN THAT RAIN STORM
188
00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,046
WAS VERY CHALLENGING.
189
00:08:35,114 --> 00:08:36,158
WHEN IT STARTS RAINING,
190
00:08:36,182 --> 00:08:38,349
YOU CAN'T SEE AS FAR
IN FRONT OF YOU
191
00:08:38,418 --> 00:08:40,596
AND YOUR SENSORS CAN'T SEE
THROUGH THE WEATHER EITHER.
192
00:08:40,620 --> 00:08:42,565
Narrator: IN ORDER
TO LOCATE THE GROUND TROOPS,
193
00:08:42,589 --> 00:08:47,458
A-10 PILOTS HAVE TO RELY
ON THEIR GROUND-TO-AIR RADIOS.
194
00:08:47,527 --> 00:08:50,128
FOR MOST FIGHTERS,
THIS COULD BE A CHALLENGE.
195
00:08:50,196 --> 00:08:52,030
BUT NOT FOR THE A-10s.
196
00:08:52,032 --> 00:08:55,300
THE WARTHOG IS OPTIMIZED
TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY
197
00:08:55,368 --> 00:08:58,236
WITH TROOPS ON THE GROUND.
198
00:08:58,304 --> 00:08:59,637
Doran:
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSIONS
199
00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:01,573
START WITH DETAILED INTEGRATION
200
00:09:01,641 --> 00:09:03,152
BETWEEN AIRCRAFT
AND GROUND TROOPS.
201
00:09:03,176 --> 00:09:04,175
IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THAT,
202
00:09:04,177 --> 00:09:06,021
WE NEED TO BE ABLE
TO TALK TO THEM,
203
00:09:06,045 --> 00:09:09,781
SO MY TOOLS ARE THREE RADIOS
THAT I HAVE BY MY LEFT HIP HERE
204
00:09:09,849 --> 00:09:12,317
THAT ALLOW ME TO TALK TO
AND COORDINATE WITH
205
00:09:12,352 --> 00:09:14,152
PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE.
206
00:09:14,220 --> 00:09:15,386
Narrator: A WARTHOG PILOT
207
00:09:15,389 --> 00:09:18,189
CAN TAP INTO THREE
DIFFERENT RADIO NETWORKS.
208
00:09:18,258 --> 00:09:22,927
THE FIRST ALLOWS THEM TO SPEAK
WITH TROOPS ON THE GROUND.
209
00:09:22,996 --> 00:09:24,262
THE SECOND NETWORK
210
00:09:24,330 --> 00:09:29,267
IS DEDICATED TO TALKING
TO THE OTHER AIRCRAFT.
211
00:09:29,269 --> 00:09:32,737
THE A-10'S THIRD RADIO NETWORK
CONNECTS IT WITH A JTAC,
212
00:09:32,739 --> 00:09:35,674
OR JOINT TERMINAL
AIR CONTROLLER.
213
00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:37,375
THAT'S AN OFFICER ON THE GROUND
214
00:09:37,443 --> 00:09:41,279
WHO OVERSEES THE ENTIRE
OFFENSIVE OPERATION.
215
00:09:41,348 --> 00:09:43,481
Doran: THE RADIOS ARE CRUCIAL
216
00:09:43,549 --> 00:09:45,550
TO THE EXECUTION
OF CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
217
00:09:45,619 --> 00:09:47,696
SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND,
WE CAN INTEGRATE,
218
00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:51,656
AND WE CAN ADJUST TO DYNAMIC
BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENTS.
219
00:09:51,724 --> 00:09:53,758
Narrator: OVER AFGHANISTAN,
220
00:09:53,826 --> 00:09:58,963
ZURKOWSKI AND HIS WINGMAN
RADIO DOWN TO THE TROOPS.
221
00:09:59,032 --> 00:10:01,833
THE NEWS THAT COMES BACK
ISN'T GOOD.
222
00:10:01,835 --> 00:10:04,647
Zurkowski:
THE TROOPS ON THE GROUND
SAID THEY WERE TAKING FIRE
223
00:10:04,671 --> 00:10:09,307
AND THEY WERE TAKING FIRE FROM
THE NORTH AND FROM THE WEST.
224
00:10:09,309 --> 00:10:11,020
Narrator:
ZURKOWSKI AND HIS WINGMAN
225
00:10:11,044 --> 00:10:13,645
ARE RELUCTANT
TO USE THEIR CANNON.
226
00:10:13,713 --> 00:10:15,179
IF THEY CAN'T FIND THE TROOPS,
227
00:10:15,182 --> 00:10:17,782
THEY RISK SHOOTING
THEIR OWN SOLDIERS.
228
00:10:17,850 --> 00:10:19,184
Zurkowski: IT'S VERY DIFFICULT
229
00:10:19,252 --> 00:10:23,154
TO SEE THE ACTUAL PERSONNEL
IN THE KIND OF ROCKY TERRAIN,
230
00:10:23,222 --> 00:10:25,067
AND THEY'RE ALL
WEARING CAMOUFLAGE
231
00:10:25,091 --> 00:10:27,592
AND THEY BLEND IN PRETTY WELL.
232
00:10:27,661 --> 00:10:30,261
Narrator: BY NOW, THE NEWS
FROM THE GROUND IS URGENT.
233
00:10:30,263 --> 00:10:33,297
THE TALIBAN IS CLOSING IN FAST.
234
00:10:33,366 --> 00:10:35,111
Zurkowski: IT WAS CRITICAL
WE PROVIDE SUPPORT,
235
00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:38,069
OR IT WAS LIKELY THAT
THEY WOULD BE OVERRUN,
236
00:10:38,137 --> 00:10:41,172
AND THERE WERE 90 LIVES AT STAKE
ON THE GROUND THERE.
237
00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,275
Narrator: IF THE A-10s
DON'T SHUT THE ENEMY DOWN SOON,
238
00:10:44,344 --> 00:10:46,511
IT WILL BE TOO LATE.
239
00:10:48,949 --> 00:10:53,317
TWO A-10s CIRCLE LOW THROUGH
THE MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN.
240
00:10:53,386 --> 00:10:56,487
BELOW THEM,
90 SPECIAL OPERATIONS TROOPS
241
00:10:56,556 --> 00:10:59,357
ARE SURROUNDED
BY TALIBAN SOLDIERS.
242
00:10:59,426 --> 00:11:00,469
Zurkowski: SO AT THIS POINT,
243
00:11:00,493 --> 00:11:02,404
IT IS STARTING TO RAIN
A LITTLE HARDER
244
00:11:02,428 --> 00:11:04,696
AND MY CONFIDENCE LEVEL
IN THE TARGET
245
00:11:04,698 --> 00:11:07,165
WASN'T AS HIGH
AS I WANTED IT TO BE.
246
00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:10,368
Narrator:
VISIBILITY IS ALMOST ZERO.
247
00:11:10,436 --> 00:11:13,371
COORDINATION WITH GROUND TROOPS
WILL HAVE TO BE PERFECT
248
00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:16,307
TO AVOID FRIENDLY FIRE.
249
00:11:16,309 --> 00:11:18,576
ZURKOWSKI RADIOS DOWN
TO THE SOLDIERS
250
00:11:18,645 --> 00:11:20,678
AND COMES UP WITH A PLAN.
251
00:11:20,747 --> 00:11:22,780
Zurkowski: I ELECTED
ON MY FIRST PASS
252
00:11:22,849 --> 00:11:25,383
TO PUT DOWN
A WHITE PHOSPHORUS ROCKET.
253
00:11:25,452 --> 00:11:28,786
IT'S A ROCKET THAT HITS, AND IT
PRODUCES A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE,
254
00:11:28,855 --> 00:11:31,589
AND IT'S A GREAT REFERENCE POINT
ON THE GROUND.
255
00:11:31,657 --> 00:11:34,258
Narrator:
THE ROCKET WORKS PERFECTLY.
256
00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:38,996
GROUND TROOPS RADIO UP TO HELP
ZURKOWSKI REFINE HIS TARGET.
257
00:11:38,999 --> 00:11:41,143
Zurkowski: THEY CORRECTED OFF
OF THE ROCKET ON THE GROUND
258
00:11:41,167 --> 00:11:42,433
AS A REFERENCE,
259
00:11:42,502 --> 00:11:47,872
REQUESTED 30-MILLIMETER
JUST NORTH OF THE ROCKET IMPACT.
260
00:11:47,940 --> 00:11:51,476
Narrator: IT'S TIME FOR THE A-10
TO GO IN FOR THE KILL.
261
00:11:51,544 --> 00:11:54,879
Zurkowski: I CAME AROUND
FOR A SECOND PASS.
262
00:11:54,948 --> 00:11:57,015
I PUT ABOUT 300 ROUNDS
ON THE RIDGE LINE
263
00:11:57,083 --> 00:11:58,549
JUST NORTH OF THE ROCKET.
264
00:11:58,618 --> 00:12:00,318
IN THAT TYPE OF WEATHER,
265
00:12:00,386 --> 00:12:02,220
YOU CAN SEE
A DISTURBANCE IN THE AIR
266
00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:03,688
OF WHERE THE BULLETS ARE.
267
00:12:03,757 --> 00:12:05,468
SO YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY
SEE THE BULLETS,
268
00:12:05,492 --> 00:12:09,828
BUT YOU CAN SEE
KIND OF A WAVE IN THE AIR,
269
00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:14,031
A DISTURBANCE OF WHERE THIS MASS
OF METAL IS GOING DOWN-RANGE.
270
00:12:14,100 --> 00:12:17,669
Narrator:
THE A-10 MAKES ANOTHER PASS.
271
00:12:22,408 --> 00:12:26,444
IT CAN'T SEE THROUGH THE CLOUDS
TO TELL IF IT'S HIT ITS TARGET.
272
00:12:26,512 --> 00:12:29,847
BUT GROUND TROOPS
RADIO UP THE GOOD NEWS.
273
00:12:29,850 --> 00:12:32,350
Zurkowski: ON THE LAST PASS,
THEY WERE CONFIRMED
274
00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:34,786
THAT, YEAH,
JUST HIT YOUR LAST IMPACTS,
275
00:12:34,854 --> 00:12:36,488
THAT WAS EFFECTIVE.
276
00:12:39,992 --> 00:12:44,629
Narrator: FINALLY, TWO RESCUE
HELICOPTERS ARE CLEARED TO LAND.
277
00:12:44,697 --> 00:12:46,798
Zurkowski: IT WAS A VERY
SUCCESSFUL MISSION.
278
00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:48,533
WE GOT EVERYBODY OUT THAT DAY.
279
00:12:48,601 --> 00:12:50,001
THERE WERE 90 PEOPLE
ON THE GROUND.
280
00:12:50,003 --> 00:12:51,803
Narrator: TENACITY...
281
00:12:51,871 --> 00:12:53,204
TOUGHNESS...
282
00:12:53,273 --> 00:12:54,872
RELIABILITY...
283
00:12:54,941 --> 00:12:57,475
HALLMARKS OF THE AIR FORCE'S
GO-TO PLANE
284
00:12:57,477 --> 00:12:59,677
FOR CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.
285
00:12:59,745 --> 00:13:02,814
Zurkowski: IT REALLY HIGHLIGHTED
THE CAPABILITIES OF THE A-10
286
00:13:02,882 --> 00:13:05,950
IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO
OPERATE UNDERNEATH THE WEATHER,
287
00:13:06,018 --> 00:13:09,453
BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE
ACCURATE PINPOINT FIRES
288
00:13:09,522 --> 00:13:13,291
TO SUPPORT THE GUYS
ON THE GROUND.
289
00:13:13,359 --> 00:13:15,326
Narrator: NOT BAD FOR A WEAPON
290
00:13:15,394 --> 00:13:18,563
THAT SOME SAY THE AIR FORCE
NEVER WANTED AT ALL.
291
00:13:20,834 --> 00:13:23,501
1965.
292
00:13:23,503 --> 00:13:26,004
THE U.S. AIR FORCE
AND THE ARMY ARE AT WAR.
293
00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:31,509
NOT JUST IN VIETNAM,
BUT WITH EACH OTHER.
294
00:13:31,511 --> 00:13:35,079
IT'S A BATTLE THAT'S
BEEN BREWING FOR YEARS.
295
00:13:35,147 --> 00:13:37,882
Rebecca Grant: THE AIR FORCE HAD
HAD A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
296
00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:39,584
WITH THE ARMY DURING KOREA,
297
00:13:39,652 --> 00:13:42,420
BUT AS THE 1950s
AND EARLY 1960s PROGRESSED,
298
00:13:42,488 --> 00:13:45,123
THE ARMY AND THE AIR FORCE
MOVED FARTHER APART.
299
00:13:45,191 --> 00:13:46,390
Narrator: REBECCA GRANT
300
00:13:46,459 --> 00:13:50,828
IS AN AIR FORCE HISTORIAN
AND DEFENSE ANALYST.
301
00:13:50,897 --> 00:13:52,396
Grant: DURING WORLD WAR II,
302
00:13:52,465 --> 00:13:54,732
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT WAS
ONE OF THE PRIMARY MISSIONS
303
00:13:54,734 --> 00:13:57,602
FOR THE AIR FORCES.
304
00:13:57,670 --> 00:14:01,940
BUT IN THE 1950s,
THE NUCLEAR MISSION TOOK OVER,
305
00:14:02,008 --> 00:14:05,410
AND CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
WAS NEGLECTED.
306
00:14:05,478 --> 00:14:08,079
Narrator: THE AIR FORCE BELIEVES
THAT CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
307
00:14:08,081 --> 00:14:10,047
IS A THING OF THE PAST.
308
00:14:10,116 --> 00:14:13,484
FUTURE WARS WILL BE WON
BY AIR POWER ALONE.
309
00:14:13,552 --> 00:14:15,553
Grant: THE AIR FORCE THOUGHT
THAT THE NEXT WAR
310
00:14:15,555 --> 00:14:18,890
WOULD BE ALL ABOUT NUCLEAR
DETERRENTS AND NUCLEAR STRIKE,
311
00:14:18,892 --> 00:14:23,261
INVOLVING MASSES OF BOMBERS
AND ALSO INTERCEPT FIGHTERS,
312
00:14:23,329 --> 00:14:27,131
BUT WITH VERY LITTLE ROLE
FOR GROUND FORCES.
313
00:14:27,199 --> 00:14:28,900
Narrator:
TO FIGHT THIS NEW WAR,
314
00:14:28,902 --> 00:14:32,637
THE AIR FORCE PUTS ALL
THEIR MONEY INTO FAST BOMBERS,
315
00:14:32,639 --> 00:14:35,306
DESIGNED TO COUNTER
THE NUCLEAR THREAT.
316
00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:38,776
Grant: THE NEW FIGHTERS WERE
DESIGNED EITHER AS INTERCEPTORS
317
00:14:38,778 --> 00:14:41,145
OR TO DELIVER NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
318
00:14:41,213 --> 00:14:42,925
THAT MEANT THAT
THERE REALLY WEREN'T
319
00:14:42,949 --> 00:14:44,882
ANY AIRCRAFT IN THE 1950s
320
00:14:44,951 --> 00:14:48,786
DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR
THE CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSION.
321
00:14:48,788 --> 00:14:52,123
Narrator: THE AIR FORCE DOCTRINE
LOOKS GOOD IN THEORY.
322
00:14:52,191 --> 00:14:56,527
BUT THE REALITY OF VIETNAM
CATCHES THEM OFF-GUARD.
323
00:14:56,529 --> 00:14:58,663
IN THE JUNGLES
OF SOUTHEAST ASIA,
324
00:14:58,665 --> 00:15:01,666
GROUND TROOPS ARE
AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WAR.
325
00:15:01,734 --> 00:15:06,771
HIGH-FLYING AIR FORCE FIGHTERS
STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT.
326
00:15:06,839 --> 00:15:09,674
Grant: AS MORE U.S. TROOPS
ENDED UP IN VIETNAM,
327
00:15:09,742 --> 00:15:11,175
THE AIR FORCE REALIZED
328
00:15:11,243 --> 00:15:14,612
THAT THEY'D REALLY LET THEIR
ABILITIES IN CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
329
00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:15,680
SLIP.
330
00:15:15,748 --> 00:15:17,708
Narrator:
AS THE CASUALTIES PILE UP,
331
00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:21,219
THE ARMY FEELS THAT
IT'S BEEN LEFT OUT TO DRY.
332
00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:23,321
SO IT COMES UP WITH A BOLD PLAN:
333
00:15:23,389 --> 00:15:25,556
TO MAKE THE CLOSE
AIR SUPPORT MISSION ITS OWN.
334
00:15:28,428 --> 00:15:31,429
JUNE 1966.
335
00:15:31,497 --> 00:15:36,701
THE U.S. ARMY REVEALS ITS PLAN
FOR AN ATTACK HELICOPTER.
336
00:15:36,769 --> 00:15:39,103
THEY CALL IT THE CHEYENNE.
337
00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:41,105
IT'S A CLOSE
AIR SUPPORT PLATFORM
338
00:15:41,107 --> 00:15:44,976
DESIGNED TO PUT
AIR FORCE BOMBERS TO SHAME.
339
00:15:44,978 --> 00:15:46,855
Grant:
WITH THE CHEYENNE PROGRAM,
340
00:15:46,879 --> 00:15:49,080
THIS WAS THE ARMY'S INITIATIVE
341
00:15:49,148 --> 00:15:53,217
TO DO CLOSE AIR SUPPORT
THEIR WAY, ON THEIR OWN.
342
00:15:53,285 --> 00:15:55,753
Narrator:
THE CHEYENNE IS FAST,
343
00:15:55,821 --> 00:15:57,121
IT'S HEAVILY ARMED,
344
00:15:57,123 --> 00:16:00,191
AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE.
345
00:16:00,259 --> 00:16:02,393
THE AIR FORCE
LOOKS ON WITH ALARM.
346
00:16:02,461 --> 00:16:04,695
IF THE CHEYENNE PROGRAM
GOES THROUGH,
347
00:16:04,764 --> 00:16:08,199
THEY COULD LOSE THE CLOSE
AIR SUPPORT MISSION ALTOGETHER
348
00:16:08,267 --> 00:16:11,269
AND THE BUDGET
THAT GOES WITH IT.
349
00:16:11,337 --> 00:16:14,138
Grant: SO, THE AIR FORCE REACTED
TO THE CHEYENNE PROGRAM
350
00:16:14,206 --> 00:16:16,540
BY STARTING
A NEW PROGRAM OF ITS OWN.
351
00:16:16,609 --> 00:16:18,609
Narrator: SEPTEMBER 1966.
352
00:16:18,611 --> 00:16:20,311
THE PENTAGON.
353
00:16:20,379 --> 00:16:24,315
GENERAL JOHN P. McCONNELL STARTS
A NEW AIR FORCE INITIATIVE:
354
00:16:24,383 --> 00:16:28,319
THE ATTACK EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM.
355
00:16:28,387 --> 00:16:30,755
Pierre Sprey: McCONNELL WAS
A HUNDRED-PERCENT BOMBER GUY.
356
00:16:30,823 --> 00:16:32,534
HE HAD NO INTEREST
IN CLOSE SUPPORT,
357
00:16:32,558 --> 00:16:34,503
BUT HE SURE DIDN'T WANT
TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY
358
00:16:34,527 --> 00:16:35,827
AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF
359
00:16:35,895 --> 00:16:38,462
WHO LOST A MAJOR MISSION
FOR THE AIR FORCE.
360
00:16:38,531 --> 00:16:42,199
Narrator: PIERRE SPREY IS
A DEFENSE ANALYST AND ENGINEER.
361
00:16:42,268 --> 00:16:45,536
HE WROTE THE INITIAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE A-10.
362
00:16:45,604 --> 00:16:47,572
Sprey:
THE OBJECTIVE WE WERE GIVEN
363
00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,641
WAS TO DEVELOP A REALLY
EFFECTIVE COMBAT MACHINE
364
00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:52,343
AT VERY LOW COST,
365
00:16:52,411 --> 00:16:56,747
LOWER COST THAN THE CHEYENNE,
AND MORE EFFECTIVE.
366
00:16:56,816 --> 00:16:58,783
Narrator:
VIETNAM ISN'T THE ONLY WAR
367
00:16:58,851 --> 00:17:01,052
THAT HAS THE PENTAGON WORRIED.
368
00:17:01,054 --> 00:17:04,755
SOVIET TANKS LINE UP ALONG
EUROPE'S COLD WAR BATTLEFIELD,
369
00:17:04,824 --> 00:17:07,425
WAITING TO STRIKE.
370
00:17:07,493 --> 00:17:10,528
THE NEW AIRCRAFT
WILL HAVE TO DO DOUBLE DUTY:
371
00:17:10,596 --> 00:17:15,333
PROTECT SOLDIERS
AND DESTROY THE SOVIET THREAT.
372
00:17:15,401 --> 00:17:16,534
Grant: FOR THE U.S. AIR FORCE,
373
00:17:16,536 --> 00:17:18,903
HAVING A DEDICATED,
TANK-KILLING,
374
00:17:18,971 --> 00:17:21,472
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT,
GROUND-ATTACK PLANE
375
00:17:21,541 --> 00:17:24,241
WAS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
376
00:17:24,310 --> 00:17:26,143
Narrator:
STANDARD AIR FORCE DOCTRINE
377
00:17:26,146 --> 00:17:28,012
GETS TURNED ON ITS HEAD.
378
00:17:28,081 --> 00:17:29,881
FORGET HIGH AND FAST;
379
00:17:29,949 --> 00:17:32,417
THIS NEW PLANE
HAS TO HOLD ENOUGH FUEL
380
00:17:32,518 --> 00:17:36,687
TO HANG OVER THE BATTLEFIELD
AS LONG AS TROOPS NEED.
381
00:17:36,756 --> 00:17:38,289
Sprey: FIRST AND FOREMOST,
382
00:17:38,357 --> 00:17:40,558
YOU GOT TO BE ABLE
TO GET IN CLOSE ENOUGH
383
00:17:40,626 --> 00:17:42,927
TO FIND THE TARGETS,
384
00:17:42,995 --> 00:17:45,996
SO WE DEMANDED AN AIRPLANE
WITH A LOT OF LOITER TIME.
385
00:17:46,065 --> 00:17:48,666
TWO HOURS OR MORE WAS ESSENTIAL.
386
00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:50,801
Narrator:
TO HOVER LOW AND SLOW
387
00:17:50,870 --> 00:17:54,305
THE NEW PLANE
WILL HAVE TO BE TOUGH.
388
00:17:54,307 --> 00:17:56,774
Sprey: THE SECOND THING IS
YOU HAD TO HAVE AN AIRPLANE
389
00:17:56,842 --> 00:18:00,578
THAT COULD REALLY WITHSTAND
HITS FROM MACHINE GUNS,
390
00:18:00,646 --> 00:18:04,515
SMALL CANNONS, AND EVEN
SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILES.
391
00:18:04,583 --> 00:18:06,584
YOU NEED AN AIRPLANE
THAT COULD TAKE THOSE HITS
392
00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:07,919
AND GET THE PILOT BACK.
393
00:18:07,987 --> 00:18:10,654
Narrator:
FINALLY, YOU NEED FIREPOWER.
394
00:18:10,723 --> 00:18:12,223
LOTS OF IT.
395
00:18:12,291 --> 00:18:15,927
Sprey: YOU NEED
FIREPOWER THAT'S PRECISE.
396
00:18:15,995 --> 00:18:19,130
THIS HAS TO BE FIREPOWER
THAT WILL SUPPRESS THE BAD GUYS,
397
00:18:19,198 --> 00:18:21,899
GET RID OF THEM,
AND NOT HURT YOUR GUYS.
398
00:18:21,968 --> 00:18:24,079
AND IT HAS TO BE ABLE
TO PUNCH THROUGH TANKS
399
00:18:24,103 --> 00:18:25,603
OR ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS.
400
00:18:28,507 --> 00:18:30,218
Narrator:
A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
401
00:18:30,242 --> 00:18:33,210
GOES OUT IN MAY 1970.
402
00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:35,023
THIS AIRCRAFT
WILL BE FAR DIFFERENT
403
00:18:35,047 --> 00:18:39,016
FROM ANYTHING THE AIR FORCE
HAS EVER PRODUCED.
404
00:18:39,018 --> 00:18:42,753
Sprey: ALMOST EVERY ASPECT
OF HOW WE PUT THE A-10 TOGETHER
405
00:18:42,822 --> 00:18:44,822
WAS LIKE A RADICAL INNOVATION.
406
00:18:44,890 --> 00:18:47,558
Narrator: FOUR MONTHS AFTER
ITS REQUEST GOES OUT,
407
00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,594
THE AIR FORCE
CHOOSES TWO FINALISTS:
408
00:18:50,663 --> 00:18:52,096
GRUMMAN'S A-9
409
00:18:52,165 --> 00:18:55,566
AND FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC'S A-10.
410
00:18:55,635 --> 00:19:00,238
EACH SUBMITS A PROTOTYPE
FOR A FLY-OFF COMPETITION.
411
00:19:00,306 --> 00:19:02,017
Sprey:
THE AIR FORCE HAD BUILT
412
00:19:02,041 --> 00:19:04,241
MANY, MANY PROTOTYPES
OVER THE YEARS,
413
00:19:04,244 --> 00:19:07,978
BUT HAD NEVER HAD
A HEAD-TO-HEAD SHOOTING FLY-OFF
414
00:19:07,981 --> 00:19:10,748
WHERE THE AIRPLANES
WOULD DIRECTLY COMPETE
415
00:19:10,816 --> 00:19:14,385
ON THE SAME GROUND,
AGAINST THE SAME TARGETS.
416
00:19:14,387 --> 00:19:15,720
THAT WAS TOTALLY NEW.
417
00:19:15,788 --> 00:19:18,422
Narrator: DECEMBER 1972.
418
00:19:18,491 --> 00:19:21,525
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE,
CALIFORNIA.
419
00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:23,861
FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC'S A-10
420
00:19:23,897 --> 00:19:27,465
FACES DOWN
NORTHUP GRUMMAN'S A-9
421
00:19:27,533 --> 00:19:29,734
IN MANEUVERABILITY,
422
00:19:29,802 --> 00:19:32,369
LOITER TIME,
423
00:19:32,438 --> 00:19:34,805
AND WEAPONS TESTS.
424
00:19:34,907 --> 00:19:38,209
THE STAKES ARE WINNER TAKES ALL.
425
00:19:38,277 --> 00:19:41,612
Sprey: THE A-10 WAS CLEARLY
MORE ACCURATE THAN THE A-9
426
00:19:41,681 --> 00:19:44,515
IN STRAFING AND IN BOMBING,
427
00:19:44,583 --> 00:19:48,452
BUT NOT BY TWO TO ONE,
BUT BY ENOUGH THAT WE CARED.
428
00:19:48,521 --> 00:19:51,288
IT WAS ALSO MUCH BETTER
IN LOITER TIME
429
00:19:51,357 --> 00:19:53,724
BECAUSE THE A-9 GRUMMAN
430
00:19:53,792 --> 00:19:56,961
HAD LOST CONTROL
OF THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE.
431
00:19:56,996 --> 00:19:59,230
AND THEN
ON THE SURVIVABILITY SIDE,
432
00:19:59,232 --> 00:20:02,433
THE A-10 PRETTY MUCH HAD IT.
433
00:20:02,501 --> 00:20:04,412
SO I WOULD SAY
IT WASN'T HARD TO PICK A WINNER.
434
00:20:04,436 --> 00:20:06,270
IT WAS REAL CLEAR.
435
00:20:06,338 --> 00:20:09,173
Narrator: MARCH 30, 1976.
436
00:20:09,241 --> 00:20:11,575
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE.
437
00:20:11,644 --> 00:20:14,011
THE U.S. AIR FORCE
ANNOUNCES THE WINNER:
438
00:20:14,079 --> 00:20:16,513
FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC'S A-10.
439
00:20:16,582 --> 00:20:18,515
IT'S THE ONLY AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT
440
00:20:18,584 --> 00:20:22,553
DESIGNED SOLELY
FOR CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.
441
00:20:22,621 --> 00:20:26,523
THE A-10'S BODY MAKES
AN INSTANT IMPRESSION.
442
00:20:26,592 --> 00:20:28,826
Grant: THE A-10
SEEMED TO VIOLATE
443
00:20:28,894 --> 00:20:33,664
EVERY PRECEPT OF STREAMLINED,
HIGH-SPEED DESIGN.
444
00:20:33,666 --> 00:20:35,786
Sprey: THEY IMMEDIATELY
DUBBED IT THE WARTHOG
445
00:20:35,834 --> 00:20:37,846
BECAUSE IT HAD WARTS
AND BUMPS ALL OVER IT.
446
00:20:37,870 --> 00:20:39,804
IT WAS UGLY...
UGLY AS SIN.
447
00:20:39,872 --> 00:20:40,916
Narrator: MANY IN THE AIR FORCE
448
00:20:40,940 --> 00:20:43,374
ARE SKEPTICAL
RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.
449
00:20:43,442 --> 00:20:46,010
Sprey: GENERALS
ALMOST UNIFORMLY HATED IT.
450
00:20:46,078 --> 00:20:47,678
THEY THOUGHT THE A-10 WEAKENS
451
00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:49,546
THE REAL MISSION
OF THE AIR FORCE,
452
00:20:49,549 --> 00:20:52,983
WHICH IS BOMBING
AND MULTI-MISSION FIGHTERS.
453
00:20:53,052 --> 00:20:55,786
Narrator: THE POWERS THAT BE
ARE SKEPTICAL.
454
00:20:55,854 --> 00:20:59,923
BUT THE A-10 PILOTS
LOVE IT RIGHT FROM THE START.
455
00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:02,493
Doran: THE A-10 IS A WONDERFUL
AIRPLANE TO FLY.
456
00:21:02,561 --> 00:21:04,895
IT'S EASY TO FLY, IT'S STABLE.
457
00:21:04,897 --> 00:21:06,242
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU COULD
GET IN THERE,
458
00:21:06,266 --> 00:21:08,299
GET THE JOB DONE, GET OUT,
459
00:21:08,367 --> 00:21:11,035
SO THOSE YOUNG AMERICANS
CAN COME HOME SAFELY
460
00:21:11,037 --> 00:21:12,503
AT THE END OF THE DAY.
461
00:21:12,605 --> 00:21:15,272
Narrator: PROTECTING TROOPS
IS ITS MISSION.
462
00:21:15,341 --> 00:21:16,874
BUT THE WARTHOG WAS DESIGNED
463
00:21:16,942 --> 00:21:19,977
TO GET PILOTS
OUT OF ANY SITUATION, TOO.
464
00:21:20,046 --> 00:21:21,979
Doran: ITS HIGH-MOUNTED
STRAIGHT WINGS
465
00:21:21,981 --> 00:21:24,515
GIVE IT EXCELLENT
LOW-ALTITUDE MANEUVERABILITY,
466
00:21:24,617 --> 00:21:26,917
EXCELLENT SLOW-SPEED
MANEUVERABILITY,
467
00:21:26,986 --> 00:21:28,297
AND THE ABILITY
TO TAKE OFF AND LAND
468
00:21:28,321 --> 00:21:30,788
ON RELATIVELY SHORT AIR FIELDS.
469
00:21:30,823 --> 00:21:34,925
Narrator: ITS MANEUVERABILITY
MAKES THE A-10 TOUGH TO HIT.
470
00:21:34,927 --> 00:21:39,463
THE POSITION OF ITS ENGINES
MAKES THE A-10 TOUGH TO FIND.
471
00:21:39,465 --> 00:21:41,865
Doran: THE REASON THEY PUT THEM
UP HIGH LIKE THIS
472
00:21:41,868 --> 00:21:44,234
IS THAT THE EXHAUST
FROM THE ENGINES
473
00:21:44,303 --> 00:21:48,138
IS ABOVE THE TAIL AND BETWEEN
THE TWO VERTICAL STABILIZERS.
474
00:21:48,141 --> 00:21:51,408
WHAT THAT DOES IS HIDE SOME OF
THAT INFRARED ENERGY SIGNATURE,
475
00:21:51,477 --> 00:21:53,878
MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT
FOR THE ENEMY TO TARGET US
476
00:21:53,946 --> 00:21:57,948
WITH SOME INFRARED
SHOULDER-FIRED MISSILE SYSTEMS.
477
00:21:58,016 --> 00:21:59,617
Narrator: IF THEY DO GET HIT,
478
00:21:59,685 --> 00:22:03,320
THE WARTHOG WAS DESIGNED
TO ABSORB ENEMY FIRE,
479
00:22:03,389 --> 00:22:06,657
NOT RUN FROM IT.
480
00:22:06,725 --> 00:22:08,125
Doran: UNDERNEATH THE COCKPIT
481
00:22:08,193 --> 00:22:10,038
AND JUST BEHIND
THE COCKPIT, UNDERNEATH,
482
00:22:10,062 --> 00:22:11,562
ARE PROTECTED BY TITANIUM ARMOR,
483
00:22:11,630 --> 00:22:14,898
WHICH PROTECTS AGAINST ARTILLERY
ROUNDS FIRED FROM THE GROUND.
484
00:22:14,967 --> 00:22:16,166
IT'S DESIGNED TO STOP
485
00:22:16,169 --> 00:22:18,402
UP TO 23-MILLIMETER
ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE,
486
00:22:18,470 --> 00:22:20,537
WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT
ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE.
487
00:22:20,606 --> 00:22:22,317
Narrator:
PILOTS LIKE THE DESIGN,
488
00:22:22,341 --> 00:22:24,308
AND THE A-10 DOES LOOK GOOD...
489
00:22:24,310 --> 00:22:25,743
ON PAPER.
490
00:22:25,811 --> 00:22:27,912
BUT HOW WILL
SUCH A STRANGE-LOOKING PLANE
491
00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:29,280
HOLD UP IN FLIGHT?
492
00:22:32,184 --> 00:22:34,852
JUNE 3, 1977.
493
00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:38,589
LE BOURGET AIR FIELD IN PARIS.
494
00:22:38,591 --> 00:22:42,259
FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC GETS READY
TO ROLL OUT ITS FANCY NEW PLANE
495
00:22:42,327 --> 00:22:45,796
ON THE WORLD STAGE.
496
00:22:45,865 --> 00:22:48,999
Grant: THE PARIS AIR SHOW
WAS STARTED IN 1909,
497
00:22:49,001 --> 00:22:52,803
AND IT'S THE WORLD'S PREMIERE
SHOWCASE FOR NEW AIRCRAFT
498
00:22:52,871 --> 00:22:55,005
AND THE MOST SOPHISTICATED
DESIGNS.
499
00:22:55,007 --> 00:22:56,740
Narrator:
TO SHOW OFF ITS NEW BABY,
500
00:22:56,743 --> 00:23:01,011
FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC SELECTS
TEST PILOT SAM NELSON.
501
00:23:01,013 --> 00:23:04,749
HE'S LOGGED OVER 500 HOURS
IN THE AIRCRAFT.
502
00:23:04,817 --> 00:23:06,751
Grant: SAM NELSON
GOT IN THE PLANE,
503
00:23:06,819 --> 00:23:08,753
TAXIED DOWN THE RUNWAY,
504
00:23:08,821 --> 00:23:10,187
TOOK OFF UNEVENTFULLY.
505
00:23:10,255 --> 00:23:12,456
HIS PLAN
WAS TO COME BACK AROUND,
506
00:23:12,524 --> 00:23:14,725
DO A LOW-ALTITUDE LOOP,
507
00:23:14,793 --> 00:23:16,627
AND WOW THE CROWD.
508
00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:18,896
Narrator: BUT AS NELSON
COMES OUT OF HIS LOOP,
509
00:23:18,898 --> 00:23:23,434
IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT THE A-10
IS FLYING MUCH TOO LOW.
510
00:23:23,436 --> 00:23:24,902
AND THEN...
511
00:23:24,970 --> 00:23:26,570
THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS.
512
00:23:30,909 --> 00:23:34,211
THE AIR FORCE HOPES THAT ITS
NEW CLOSE AIR SUPPORT PLATFORM
513
00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:36,647
WILL WOW THE WORLD.
514
00:23:36,649 --> 00:23:41,151
BUT THE A-10'S DEBUT
QUICKLY TURNS INTO DISASTER.
515
00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:43,554
Barbara Walters:
THE PARIS INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW
516
00:23:43,622 --> 00:23:45,055
OPENED TODAY WITH TRAGEDY.
517
00:23:45,057 --> 00:23:47,458
Grant:
THE A-10 SINKS TOO LOW,
518
00:23:47,526 --> 00:23:49,159
IT STRIKES THE GROUND,
519
00:23:49,228 --> 00:23:51,996
DIRTY BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES
SHOOT OUT EVERYWHERE.
520
00:23:52,064 --> 00:23:54,932
IT'S A FATAL CRASH.
521
00:23:54,934 --> 00:24:00,070
Narrator: PILOT SAM NELSON DIES
ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL.
522
00:24:00,138 --> 00:24:02,250
Grant: SAM NELSON WAS
A VERY EXPERIENCED PILOT,
523
00:24:02,274 --> 00:24:04,808
A GOOD TEST PILOT,
AND KNEW THE A-10 VERY WELL,
524
00:24:04,811 --> 00:24:06,143
BUT HE GOT OVERCONFIDENT.
525
00:24:06,145 --> 00:24:08,078
HE PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT TOO FAR,
526
00:24:08,146 --> 00:24:10,106
AND IT RESULTED
IN A FATAL ACCIDENT.
527
00:24:14,419 --> 00:24:17,187
Narrator: JUNE 1978.
528
00:24:17,256 --> 00:24:19,056
AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE,
529
00:24:19,124 --> 00:24:21,358
ONE YEAR AFTER
THE PARIS AIR SHOW,
530
00:24:21,427 --> 00:24:24,294
A WARTHOG PILOT
TESTS A NEW KIND OF BULLET
531
00:24:24,297 --> 00:24:26,930
FOR THE A-10'S GATLING GUN.
532
00:24:26,999 --> 00:24:30,167
SUDDENLY, THE GUN CATCHES FIRE.
533
00:24:30,236 --> 00:24:31,969
2,000 FEET ABOVE THE EARTH,
534
00:24:32,037 --> 00:24:35,873
THE PLANE GOES INTO
EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN MODE.
535
00:24:35,941 --> 00:24:39,476
THE PILOT IS FORCED TO EJECT.
536
00:24:39,545 --> 00:24:41,245
HE SUFFERS SEVERE INJURIES,
537
00:24:41,313 --> 00:24:43,481
INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK.
538
00:24:46,184 --> 00:24:50,454
HIS A-10 EXPLODES ON THE GROUND.
539
00:24:50,523 --> 00:24:53,891
IT'S MORE BAD PUBLICITY
FOR THE A-10
540
00:24:53,959 --> 00:24:55,893
AND AN EXCUSE FOR THE AIR FORCE
541
00:24:55,961 --> 00:25:00,831
TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN ITSELF
AND THE UNPROVEN PLANE.
542
00:25:00,899 --> 00:25:03,267
Sprey: THERE WASN'T
A WEEK THAT WENT BY
543
00:25:03,269 --> 00:25:05,936
THAT SOME AIR FORCE GENERAL
DIDN'T COME UP WITH A SCHEME
544
00:25:05,938 --> 00:25:07,938
TO JUST GET THEM
OUT OF THE AIR FORCE.
545
00:25:11,811 --> 00:25:13,811
Narrator:
THE A-10 IS STARTING TO LOOK
546
00:25:13,845 --> 00:25:16,346
LIKE A FAILED EXPERIMENT.
547
00:25:16,349 --> 00:25:18,181
BUT IT'S STILL THE COLD WAR,
548
00:25:18,250 --> 00:25:21,285
AND SOVIET TANKS
ARE STILL A THREAT.
549
00:25:21,287 --> 00:25:23,554
THE ARMY PUTS PRESSURE
ON THE AIR FORCE
550
00:25:23,622 --> 00:25:26,023
TO KEEP THE PLANE FLYING.
551
00:25:26,091 --> 00:25:27,936
Grant: THEY KNEW
FOR THE U.S. TO BE A SUPERPOWER
552
00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:29,493
WITH A SUPERPOWER ARMY,
553
00:25:29,561 --> 00:25:31,562
IT NEEDED THE A-10
554
00:25:31,564 --> 00:25:33,541
FOR THAT DEDICATED
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT ROLE.
555
00:25:33,565 --> 00:25:35,143
Narrator:
FOR TWELVE LONG YEARS,
556
00:25:35,167 --> 00:25:39,703
A-10 SUPPORTERS WAIT TO SHOW
HOW THEIR PLANE CAN PERFORM.
557
00:25:39,739 --> 00:25:42,540
FINALLY, THE WARTHOG
GETS PUT TO THE TEST.
558
00:25:47,045 --> 00:25:50,247
AUGUST 1990.
559
00:25:50,316 --> 00:25:53,383
SADDAM HUSSEIN SENDS
HALF A MILLION IRAQI TROOPS
560
00:25:53,452 --> 00:25:57,454
INTO NEIGHBORING KUWAIT.
561
00:25:57,456 --> 00:26:00,490
THE REST OF THE WORLD
IS PANICKED.
562
00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:03,761
MOST OF THE EARTH'S OIL
IS NOW IN HUSSEIN'S HANDS.
563
00:26:06,799 --> 00:26:09,733
IN NOVEMBER,
A 39-MEMBER COALITION
564
00:26:09,802 --> 00:26:13,437
DEMANDS THAT HUSSEIN
REMOVE HIS TROOPS.
565
00:26:13,505 --> 00:26:16,607
President Bush:
MR. SADDAM HUSSEIN,
YOU MUST SIMPLY DO
566
00:26:16,675 --> 00:26:18,943
WHAT THE WORLD
IS CALLING UPON YOU TO DO:
567
00:26:19,011 --> 00:26:19,943
GET OUT.
568
00:26:20,012 --> 00:26:22,279
Narrator:
BUT HUSSEIN REFUSES.
569
00:26:22,348 --> 00:26:27,451
THE CLOCK BEGINS
TO COUNT DOWN TO WAR.
570
00:26:27,519 --> 00:26:29,219
AIR FORCE GENERAL CHARLES HORNER
571
00:26:29,288 --> 00:26:33,357
LAYS OUT THE STRATEGY
FOR THE UPCOMING WAR.
572
00:26:33,425 --> 00:26:35,270
Charles Horner:
WE'VE WORKED HARD
573
00:26:35,294 --> 00:26:37,361
TO BRING TOGETHER
THIS VERY COMPLEX
574
00:26:37,429 --> 00:26:39,596
AND VERY LARGE CAMPAIGN PLAN.
575
00:26:39,665 --> 00:26:43,233
Narrator: HIS LIST IS HEAVY
WITH STEALTH PLANES AND BOMBERS.
576
00:26:43,302 --> 00:26:45,369
A-10s ARE NOT IN THE PLAN.
577
00:26:45,437 --> 00:26:47,415
Tom Norris: GENERAL HORNER
DIDN'T WANT THE AIRPLANE THERE,
578
00:26:47,439 --> 00:26:49,906
HATED THE AIRPLANE,
DID NOT WANT IT THERE.
579
00:26:49,909 --> 00:26:51,686
Narrator:
LIEUTENANT COLONEL TOM NORRIS
580
00:26:51,710 --> 00:26:54,711
WAS AN A-10 PILOT
DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR.
581
00:26:54,714 --> 00:26:57,180
Norris:
THE AIR FORCE HAD NO INTENTION
582
00:26:57,249 --> 00:26:58,582
OF DEPLOYING THE AIRPLANE.
583
00:26:58,651 --> 00:27:02,653
GENERAL HORNER BELIEVED
THAT THE F-15E AND THE F-16
584
00:27:02,721 --> 00:27:04,588
COULD HANDLE CLOSE AIR SUPPORT.
585
00:27:04,657 --> 00:27:06,923
Narrator: BUT ALLIED COMMANDER
NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF
586
00:27:06,992 --> 00:27:08,993
HAS OTHER IDEAS.
587
00:27:09,061 --> 00:27:11,895
SCHWARZKOPF IS AN ARMY GENERAL.
588
00:27:11,963 --> 00:27:16,200
THE CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSION
IS NEAR AND DEAR TO HIS HEART.
589
00:27:16,268 --> 00:27:18,735
Norris: GENERAL SCHWARZKOPF
MANDATED THAT THE A-10
590
00:27:18,738 --> 00:27:20,837
BE BROUGHT OVER TO THE THEATRE.
591
00:27:20,906 --> 00:27:22,206
HE THOUGHT IT WAS LUDICROUS
592
00:27:22,274 --> 00:27:24,252
THAT THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD TAKE
593
00:27:24,276 --> 00:27:26,343
AN AIR INTERDICTION
DESIGNED AIRCRAFT
594
00:27:26,412 --> 00:27:28,879
AND APPLY IT TOWARDS
A CLOSE AIR SUPPORT ROLE.
595
00:27:28,881 --> 00:27:30,191
General Schwarzkopf:
WE HAVE A CAMPAIGN PLAN.
596
00:27:30,215 --> 00:27:31,860
WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW
THAT CAMPAIGN PLAN
597
00:27:31,884 --> 00:27:34,217
UNTIL WE ACCOMPLISH
THE OBJECTIVES
598
00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:35,864
SET OUT BY
THE UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION
599
00:27:35,888 --> 00:27:37,665
AND AS ANNOUNCED BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
600
00:27:37,689 --> 00:27:39,200
Narrator:
SCHWARZKOPF'S ENDORSEMENT
601
00:27:39,224 --> 00:27:42,092
IS A HUGE BOOST
FOR THE UNPROVEN PILOTS.
602
00:27:42,161 --> 00:27:45,329
Norris: WE WERE THRILLED
THAT WE WERE GETTING TO GO.
603
00:27:45,397 --> 00:27:48,031
AND WE WERE CHARGED UP BECAUSE
GENERAL SCHWARZKOPF WANTED US,
604
00:27:48,100 --> 00:27:50,701
AND HE REPRESENTED THOSE
MEN AND WOMEN ON THE GROUND.
605
00:27:52,238 --> 00:27:54,905
Narrator: FEBRUARY 1991.
606
00:27:54,973 --> 00:27:58,108
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF IRAQ.
607
00:27:58,177 --> 00:28:01,712
NORRIS IS ON A NIGHT PATROL
WITH OTHER A-10s.
608
00:28:01,814 --> 00:28:04,514
SUDDENLY,
HIS RADIO BEGINS TO BUZZ.
609
00:28:04,517 --> 00:28:06,583
Norris: IT WAS
AN EMERGENCY CAST CALL,
610
00:28:06,651 --> 00:28:09,586
MEANING THAT
THIS WAS AN ARMY TEAM,
611
00:28:09,655 --> 00:28:12,255
AND THEY WERE INDICATING
THAT THEY WERE TRAPPED.
612
00:28:12,258 --> 00:28:14,191
THE ENEMY HAD ENCIRCLED THEM,
613
00:28:14,259 --> 00:28:16,527
AND THEY HAD NO WAY TO ESCAPE.
614
00:28:16,595 --> 00:28:19,196
Soldier: WE HAVE
ENEMY QRF APPROACHING
615
00:28:19,264 --> 00:28:22,065
3-0-0 METERS FROM THE EAST.
616
00:28:22,134 --> 00:28:24,112
Norris: YOU COULD TELL
FROM THEIR VOICES
617
00:28:24,136 --> 00:28:28,105
THAT THEY WERE IN TROUBLE
AND THEY NEEDED HELP.
618
00:28:28,173 --> 00:28:29,350
Narrator:
NORRIS AND HIS WINGMAN
619
00:28:29,374 --> 00:28:32,242
PUT THEIR A-10s
INTO FULL THROTTLE.
620
00:28:32,310 --> 00:28:35,946
MINUTES LATER, THEY LOOK DOWN
AT A CHAOTIC SCENE.
621
00:28:36,014 --> 00:28:40,284
Norris: WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE
HUGE BUBBLE CANOPY ON THE A-10,
622
00:28:40,352 --> 00:28:42,352
I SAW PROJECTILES.
623
00:28:42,420 --> 00:28:46,023
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS LITTLE
RED, ORANGE BBs, IF YOU WILL,
624
00:28:46,091 --> 00:28:49,626
FLYING EVERY WHICH DIRECTION
AROUND THIS TEAM.
625
00:28:49,628 --> 00:28:52,295
THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE
ANY SET PATTERN TO IT.
626
00:28:52,298 --> 00:28:55,632
Narrator: PILOTS CAN SEE THAT
THEIR TROOPS ARE IN TROUBLE.
627
00:28:55,701 --> 00:28:59,302
BUT IN THE DARK,
THEY CAN'T TELL FRIEND FROM FOE.
628
00:28:59,371 --> 00:29:02,306
Norris: WE HAD NO SENSORS
IN THE AIRPLANE
629
00:29:02,374 --> 00:29:05,109
TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE
INFRARED ENERGY
630
00:29:05,177 --> 00:29:09,446
TO SEE DIFFERENT OBJECTS AND
USE THOSE THINGS FOR TARGETING.
631
00:29:09,514 --> 00:29:11,292
Narrator:
TRAINING WITH GROUND TROOPS
632
00:29:11,316 --> 00:29:13,049
HAS ITS ADVANTAGES.
633
00:29:13,118 --> 00:29:15,986
THE WARTHOGS KNOW EXACTLY
WHAT THE SOLDIERS CAN USE
634
00:29:16,054 --> 00:29:18,421
TO PINPOINT THEIR LOCATION.
635
00:29:18,490 --> 00:29:21,858
Norris:
THE FLIGHT LEAD, YOU KNOW,
HE KNEW WHAT THEY HAD WITH THEM,
636
00:29:21,927 --> 00:29:23,805
YOU KNOW, SO WHEN HE SAID,
"DO YOU HAVE A STROBE LIGHT?
637
00:29:23,829 --> 00:29:25,707
DO YOU HAVE YOUR STROBE LIGHT
WITH YOU?"
638
00:29:25,731 --> 00:29:28,665
HE KNEW IT WAS KIND OF
IN THEIR BASIC EQUIPMENT LIST.
639
00:29:28,733 --> 00:29:31,768
Narrator: WARTHOG PILOTS ARE
KNOWN FOR BEING RESOURCEFUL.
640
00:29:31,837 --> 00:29:34,738
EVEN SO, IT'S AN INGENIOUS PLAN.
641
00:29:34,807 --> 00:29:36,884
Norris: HE SAID, "OKAY,
SO HERE'S WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO.
642
00:29:36,908 --> 00:29:38,475
I WANT YOU TO DIG A HOLE.
643
00:29:38,477 --> 00:29:39,787
I WANT YOU TO
TURN THAT STROBE LIGHT ON
644
00:29:39,811 --> 00:29:41,144
AND DROP IT IN THE HOLE."
645
00:29:41,147 --> 00:29:42,479
ONCE THEY DID THAT,
646
00:29:42,481 --> 00:29:44,882
WE COULD DETERMINE EXACTLY
WHERE THE FRIENDLIES WERE
647
00:29:44,950 --> 00:29:47,083
AND THAT THERE WAS FIRE
ALL AROUND THEM.
648
00:29:47,152 --> 00:29:50,220
AND THAT, THEREFORE,
WAS THE ENEMY.
649
00:29:50,222 --> 00:29:52,489
Narrator: GROUND TROOPS
GIVE THE GO-AHEAD.
650
00:29:52,558 --> 00:29:54,891
Norris: AT THAT POINT
WE BEGAN EMPLOYING
651
00:29:54,894 --> 00:29:56,260
THE 30-MILLIMETER GUN...
652
00:29:58,763 --> 00:30:00,723
AND THEN WE JUST
LAID WASTE TO THEM.
653
00:30:02,667 --> 00:30:05,802
AND BECAUSE OUR RE-ATTACK TIME
IS VERY QUICK,
654
00:30:05,871 --> 00:30:09,239
WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP
CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE ENEMY.
655
00:30:09,307 --> 00:30:10,918
Narrator:
ITS LONG LOITER TIME
656
00:30:10,942 --> 00:30:14,244
MEANS THE A-10 CAN STICK AROUND
TO SEE THE FIGHT THROUGH.
657
00:30:14,246 --> 00:30:15,512
THE FINAL SCORE?
658
00:30:15,580 --> 00:30:17,314
A-10s: SIXTY.
659
00:30:17,349 --> 00:30:19,916
IRAQI SOLDIERS: ZERO.
660
00:30:19,985 --> 00:30:21,451
Norris:
THERE WAS AN ALL-SAFE CALL
661
00:30:21,453 --> 00:30:23,387
45 MINUTES AFTER
WE HAD SHOWN UP.
662
00:30:25,490 --> 00:30:29,559
Narrator: CLOSE AIR SUPPORT IS
JUST ONE OF THE A-10'S TRIUMPHS.
663
00:30:29,628 --> 00:30:33,997
THE WARTHOG PROVES TO BE A FORCE
IN THE AIR WAR, TOO.
664
00:30:33,999 --> 00:30:36,266
A-10s DESTROY
MORE SCUD LAUNCHERS
665
00:30:36,335 --> 00:30:39,736
THAN ANY OTHER AIRCRAFT.
666
00:30:39,738 --> 00:30:42,239
Norris: SCUDS WERE
THE BALLISTIC WEAPON
667
00:30:42,307 --> 00:30:44,274
THAT COULD CARRY CHEMICALS,
ET CETERA,
668
00:30:44,276 --> 00:30:48,145
THAT COULD VERY EASILY BE
LAUNCHED FROM IRAQ TO ISRAEL.
669
00:30:48,213 --> 00:30:51,815
AND THE A-10s HAD GREAT SUCCESS
AT KILLING SCUDS.
670
00:30:51,883 --> 00:30:53,528
Narrator:
TAKING OUT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS
671
00:30:53,552 --> 00:30:55,452
PROVES TO BE EASY, TOO.
672
00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:59,623
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER]
673
00:30:59,691 --> 00:31:01,536
Norris:
THAT MISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE
674
00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:04,794
FOR AIR INTERDICTION AIRPLANES
LIKE THE F-16 AND F-15E.
675
00:31:04,863 --> 00:31:06,608
WELL, UNFORTUNATELY
THE DAY BEFORE,
676
00:31:06,632 --> 00:31:09,366
F-16s HAD BEEN
TASKED AGAINST IT, AND MISSED.
677
00:31:09,368 --> 00:31:12,102
SO, A-10s THE FOLLOWING DAY
WERE TASKED TO GO IN,
678
00:31:12,170 --> 00:31:13,770
AND THEY SHACKED IT.
679
00:31:13,839 --> 00:31:16,439
THAT ASSET
WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
680
00:31:16,442 --> 00:31:20,777
Narrator: ALTOGETHER, THE A-10
FLIES OVER 8,000 MISSIONS.
681
00:31:20,845 --> 00:31:24,281
IT DESTROYS MORE THAN
900 IRAQI TANKS,
682
00:31:24,349 --> 00:31:27,918
AND IT TAKES OUT OVER 300
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS
683
00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:30,854
AND ARTILLERY SITES.
684
00:31:30,856 --> 00:31:33,490
Norris: WE PUT THE HURT
ON THEM PRETTY GOOD.
685
00:31:33,558 --> 00:31:35,892
Narrator: THE WARTHOG
IS THE LOW-TECH STAR
686
00:31:35,961 --> 00:31:37,727
OF A HIGH-TECH WAR.
687
00:31:37,796 --> 00:31:40,597
EVEN GENERAL HORNER
IS IMPRESSED.
688
00:31:40,599 --> 00:31:41,976
Norris:
THE THIRD DAY OF THE WAR,
689
00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:44,301
HE WROTE, "I TAKE BACK
ALL THE BAD THINGS
690
00:31:44,369 --> 00:31:46,002
I EVER SAID ABOUT THE A-10.
691
00:31:46,071 --> 00:31:48,138
THEY'RE SAVING OUR ASSES.
692
00:31:48,206 --> 00:31:50,040
GENERAL HORNER."
693
00:31:50,108 --> 00:31:52,208
Narrator: BUT THE A-10s
HAVE LITTLE TIME
694
00:31:52,211 --> 00:31:54,344
TO SAVOR THEIR SUCCESS.
695
00:31:54,413 --> 00:31:56,391
NO SOONER ARE THEY
BACK IN THE STATES,
696
00:31:56,415 --> 00:31:59,149
THAN THEY GET
SOME DISAPPOINTING NEWS.
697
00:31:59,151 --> 00:32:01,651
Norris: WE HAD BEEN BACK
JUST A FEW MONTHS.
698
00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:03,164
IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE A-10s,
699
00:32:03,188 --> 00:32:06,856
THE BULK OF THEM WERE
ALL GOING IN THE BONEYARD.
700
00:32:06,925 --> 00:32:09,693
SO, IT WAS A HUGE SLAP
IN THE FACE,
701
00:32:09,761 --> 00:32:12,329
GIVEN HOW WELL
THE AIRPLANE HAD PERFORMED.
702
00:32:12,397 --> 00:32:13,830
Narrator:
TO MANY WARTHOG PILOTS,
703
00:32:13,832 --> 00:32:16,366
IT FEELS LIKE THE SAME OLD SONG.
704
00:32:16,368 --> 00:32:19,836
Norris: THEY DID NOT CUT,
YOU KNOW, PERCENTAGE-WISE
705
00:32:19,838 --> 00:32:22,105
NEAR THE NUMBER OF F-16s
AS THEY CUT A-10s.
706
00:32:22,174 --> 00:32:24,174
AGAIN, THEY DID NOT
WANT THE AIRPLANE.
707
00:32:25,844 --> 00:32:27,110
Narrator: BUT IF THE A-10
708
00:32:27,178 --> 00:32:29,579
HAS POWERFUL OPPONENTS
IN THE AIR FORCE,
709
00:32:29,581 --> 00:32:33,450
IT HAS FRIENDS IN THE ARMY.
710
00:32:33,518 --> 00:32:35,452
THANKS TO
ITS STREET FIGHTER IMAGE,
711
00:32:35,454 --> 00:32:39,856
THE A-10 MANAGES TO HANG ON.
712
00:32:39,925 --> 00:32:42,993
AND IN JUST A FEW YEARS,
IT GETS A CHANCE TO UNDERTAKE
713
00:32:43,061 --> 00:32:45,929
THE ULTIMATE
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT MISSION:
714
00:32:45,997 --> 00:32:48,231
PROTECTING A DOWNED PILOT.
715
00:32:50,802 --> 00:32:53,536
MARCH 24, 1999.
716
00:32:53,605 --> 00:32:55,972
SERBIA.
717
00:32:56,041 --> 00:32:57,885
NATO ANNOUNCES
A BOMBING CAMPAIGN
718
00:32:57,909 --> 00:33:01,578
AGAINST PRESIDENT
SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.
719
00:33:01,646 --> 00:33:03,313
THE GOAL:
720
00:33:03,381 --> 00:33:05,126
TO STOP HIS VICIOUS
ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN
721
00:33:05,150 --> 00:33:06,984
OF ALBANIAN MUSLIMS.
722
00:33:12,424 --> 00:33:14,424
President Clinton:
WE ALL AGREE
723
00:33:14,493 --> 00:33:16,170
THAT WE CANNOT ALLOW
PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC
724
00:33:16,194 --> 00:33:18,428
TO CONTINUE THE AGGRESSION
WITH IMPUNITY.
725
00:33:21,633 --> 00:33:24,234
Narrator: THE COALITION
BEGINS WITH A MASSIVE AIR WAR
726
00:33:24,302 --> 00:33:29,239
TO DESTROY
THE SERBIAN INFRASTRUCTURE.
727
00:33:29,307 --> 00:33:31,608
THE U.S. BRINGS DOZENS
OF CHOPPERS AND FIGHTERS
728
00:33:31,676 --> 00:33:35,578
TO THE FIGHT.
729
00:33:35,647 --> 00:33:37,647
JUST HOURS INTO THE WAR,
730
00:33:37,649 --> 00:33:40,083
THE A-10 SQUADRONS
GET AN URGENT CALL.
731
00:33:43,389 --> 00:33:49,126
THE SERBS HAVE SHOT DOWN ONE OF
AMERICA'S MOST VALUABLE ASSETS,
732
00:33:49,194 --> 00:33:52,162
A STEALTH F-117.
733
00:33:52,230 --> 00:33:54,108
Reporter: ACCORDING
TO THE YUGOSLAV ARMY,
734
00:33:54,132 --> 00:33:55,910
THE STEALTH FIGHTER
WAS SHOT DOWN
735
00:33:55,934 --> 00:33:58,401
BY A SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE.
736
00:33:58,470 --> 00:34:01,004
Narrator: THE PILOT
HAS BEEN FORCED TO EJECT
737
00:34:01,073 --> 00:34:04,307
DEEP INSIDE ENEMY TERRITORY.
738
00:34:04,375 --> 00:34:05,742
John Cherrey: THE FIRST THING
739
00:34:05,810 --> 00:34:08,445
THAT COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE
CREWS CARE ABOUT IS THE PERSON.
740
00:34:08,513 --> 00:34:09,946
WE WANT TO GET HIM OUT.
741
00:34:10,015 --> 00:34:12,582
Narrator:
BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN CHERREY
742
00:34:12,650 --> 00:34:17,087
WAS AN A-10 COMMANDER
DURING THE BALKAN WARS.
743
00:34:17,155 --> 00:34:18,488
Cherrey: THE SECOND THING
744
00:34:18,557 --> 00:34:20,517
WE MIGHT HAVE
IN THE BACK OF OUR MIND
745
00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:23,160
IS THE STRATEGIC VALUE
OF THAT PERSON TO THE ENEMY,
746
00:34:23,228 --> 00:34:26,896
AND WE KNEW THAT IF THEY
COULD CATCH A 117 PILOT,
747
00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:28,965
THAT IT WOULD BE
A HUGE STRATEGIC LOSS
748
00:34:29,033 --> 00:34:32,068
FOR THE NATO COALITION
AT THE TIME.
749
00:34:32,137 --> 00:34:34,604
Narrator:
COALITION AIR FORCES
750
00:34:34,672 --> 00:34:36,940
QUICKLY ASSEMBLE
A SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION.
751
00:34:40,111 --> 00:34:43,346
CHERREY AND FIVE OTHER A-10s
TAKE THE LEAD.
752
00:34:47,051 --> 00:34:50,120
Cherrey: WE TOOK OFF
ABOUT 9:45 IN THE EVENING,
753
00:34:50,122 --> 00:34:51,521
WHICH IS ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER
754
00:34:51,589 --> 00:34:53,990
THE F-117 HAD BEEN
REPORTED SHOT DOWN.
755
00:34:56,995 --> 00:34:58,995
Narrator: THE ONLY TROUBLE IS,
756
00:34:59,063 --> 00:35:02,465
THEY AREN'T SURE
WHERE THEY'RE HEADING.
757
00:35:02,534 --> 00:35:05,668
Cherrey: WE HAD
FIVE SETS OF COORDINATES
758
00:35:05,737 --> 00:35:08,004
AS TO WHERE THE SURVIVOR
POTENTIALLY COULD BE.
759
00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:13,343
THOSE COORDINATES
SPANNED OVER 76 MILES.
760
00:35:13,345 --> 00:35:16,112
Narrator: 76 MILES
ISN'T A LOT OF TERRITORY
761
00:35:16,181 --> 00:35:17,747
FOR THE A-10s TO COVER.
762
00:35:17,816 --> 00:35:20,283
BUT IT IS DANGEROUS.
763
00:35:20,352 --> 00:35:23,553
SERB RADAR ARE ON HIGH ALERT.
764
00:35:23,621 --> 00:35:25,889
Cherrey: WITHIN
THE SURVIVOR'S SMALL RADIUS,
765
00:35:25,891 --> 00:35:28,291
THERE WERE NUMEROUS
SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES,
766
00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:29,937
AND WE KNEW THAT
THE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES
767
00:35:29,961 --> 00:35:31,895
WERE TRACKING US.
768
00:35:31,963 --> 00:35:34,664
Narrator: CHERREY MANEUVERS
HIS A-10 ABOVE THE MISSILES,
769
00:35:34,732 --> 00:35:38,968
TRYING TO LOCK ON
TO THE PILOT'S LOCATION.
770
00:35:38,971 --> 00:35:40,403
Cherrey: THE A-10 IS UNIQUE
771
00:35:40,471 --> 00:35:43,072
IN THAT IT HAS
AN AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER
772
00:35:43,141 --> 00:35:46,376
IN THE UHF RANGES OF THE RADIO,
773
00:35:46,444 --> 00:35:49,445
AND SO IF A PILOT
IS USING A RADIO,
774
00:35:49,514 --> 00:35:51,781
THE AIRCRAFT ITSELF
CAN DETECT THAT SIGNAL
775
00:35:51,850 --> 00:35:55,718
AND GIVE ME BEARING
TO THE PILOT.
776
00:35:55,787 --> 00:35:57,120
Narrator: AS HE CIRCLES,
777
00:35:57,122 --> 00:35:59,656
CHERREY HEARS A VOICE
COME THROUGH HIS RADIO.
778
00:35:59,725 --> 00:36:01,024
IT'S THE PILOT.
779
00:36:01,092 --> 00:36:04,060
THE A-10 HOMES IN ON HIS SIGNAL.
780
00:36:04,129 --> 00:36:05,461
Cherrey: AT THAT POINT,
781
00:36:05,563 --> 00:36:09,065
I'M FOCUSED COMPLETELY
ON MAKING SURE THAT HE IS SECURE
782
00:36:09,133 --> 00:36:11,535
AND THAT HE'S
READY TO BE PICKED UP.
783
00:36:11,603 --> 00:36:15,505
Narrator:
BUT CHERREY ISN'T THE ONLY ONE
TRACKING THE SIGNAL.
784
00:36:15,573 --> 00:36:17,813
Cherrey: THE SERBIANS WERE
ON THE RADIOS AS WELL,
785
00:36:17,842 --> 00:36:20,410
AND SO THE MORE THE PILOT
TALKED ON THE RADIO,
786
00:36:20,478 --> 00:36:22,946
THE MORE THAT THE ENEMY
WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO USE
787
00:36:23,014 --> 00:36:25,481
THAT CAPABILITY AGAINST HIM.
788
00:36:25,550 --> 00:36:27,951
Narrator: FINDING THE PILOT
WON'T COUNT FOR MUCH
789
00:36:27,953 --> 00:36:31,754
IF THE SERBS GET TO HIM FIRST.
790
00:36:31,823 --> 00:36:33,734
Cherrey:
FOR THE LAST THREE NIGHTS,
791
00:36:33,758 --> 00:36:36,693
WE HAD BEEN HITTING TARGETS
ALL AROUND THOSE AREAS,
792
00:36:36,761 --> 00:36:38,895
AND WE KNEW THAT THE PEOPLE
IN THOSE AREAS
793
00:36:38,964 --> 00:36:41,798
WERE NOT GOING TO BE NICE
TO ANYONE THAT THEY FOUND
794
00:36:41,866 --> 00:36:44,634
THAT WAS AN AMERICAN PILOT.
795
00:36:44,703 --> 00:36:46,836
Narrator: AS THE A-10s
CIRCLE OVERHEAD,
796
00:36:46,904 --> 00:36:51,374
THEY KNOW THAT THE PILOT'S FATE
IS RESTING IN THEIR HANDS.
797
00:36:51,442 --> 00:36:53,320
Cherrey:
THE ONLY THING I COULD PICTURE
798
00:36:53,344 --> 00:36:57,013
WAS HIM KNEELING ON THE GROUND
799
00:36:57,081 --> 00:37:00,250
WITH A GUN TO HIS HEAD.
800
00:37:00,318 --> 00:37:02,518
WE WERE GOING TO STAY THERE
UNTIL WE GOT HIM OUT.
801
00:37:05,591 --> 00:37:10,893
Narrator: THE A-10s
HAVE THE PILOT'S LOCATION.
802
00:37:10,962 --> 00:37:14,998
BUT THE SERBS ARE CLOSING IN
ON THE GROUND.
803
00:37:15,066 --> 00:37:17,200
NOW IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.
804
00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:23,973
ENEMY FORCES IN SERBIA
805
00:37:24,042 --> 00:37:28,011
ARE CLOSING IN
ON A DOWNED AMERICAN AIRMAN.
806
00:37:28,079 --> 00:37:30,513
A-10 PILOT JOHN CHERREY
807
00:37:30,581 --> 00:37:32,882
KNOWS THAT IF HE CAN'T
GET THE PILOT OUT SOON,
808
00:37:32,950 --> 00:37:35,218
IT MAY BE TOO LATE.
809
00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:37,064
Cherrey: ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT I HAVE TO DO
810
00:37:37,088 --> 00:37:38,955
AS THE ON-SCENE COMMANDER
811
00:37:38,957 --> 00:37:43,293
IS FIGURE OUT,
IS HE READY TO BE PICKED UP?
812
00:37:43,361 --> 00:37:45,728
I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE
GOOD TO GO AT THAT POINT
813
00:37:45,797 --> 00:37:49,766
AND DECIDED TO BRING
THE HELICOPTERS IN.
814
00:37:49,768 --> 00:37:51,779
Narrator: WITH SERB MISSILES
ON HIGH ALERT,
815
00:37:51,803 --> 00:37:54,170
A-10 PILOTS KNOW
THAT THE HELICOPTERS
816
00:37:54,239 --> 00:37:56,839
WILL BE SITTING DUCKS.
817
00:37:56,842 --> 00:38:00,243
SO THE WARTHOGS
DECIDE TO CREATE A DECOY.
818
00:38:00,311 --> 00:38:02,223
Cherrey: WHILE THE HELICOPTERS
WERE COMING IN LOW
819
00:38:02,247 --> 00:38:04,147
TO PICK UP THE SURVIVOR,
820
00:38:04,215 --> 00:38:06,455
MY WINGMAN AND I TRIED
TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE AREA.
821
00:38:10,388 --> 00:38:13,389
Narrator: THE A-10s TURN AWAY
FROM THE DOWNED PILOT.
822
00:38:13,392 --> 00:38:14,824
AND THE SERBS TAKE AIM
823
00:38:14,892 --> 00:38:17,226
WITH THE VERY SAME
SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES
824
00:38:17,295 --> 00:38:20,196
THAT SHOT DOWN THE F-117.
825
00:38:20,265 --> 00:38:22,999
Cherrey: HERE IS
THE MOST STEALTHY AIRCRAFT
826
00:38:23,068 --> 00:38:25,669
THAT WAS JUST SHOT DOWN
BY SOMETHING,
827
00:38:25,737 --> 00:38:28,471
AND I WAS IN
THE LEAST STEALTHY AIRCRAFT
828
00:38:28,540 --> 00:38:31,507
IN THE AIR FORCE INVENTORY.
829
00:38:31,576 --> 00:38:33,576
Narrator:
CHERREY'S DECOY WORKS.
830
00:38:36,147 --> 00:38:39,882
TWO CHOPPERS TOUCH DOWN
FOR THE RESCUE.
831
00:38:39,951 --> 00:38:41,784
AND THE A-10s
832
00:38:41,853 --> 00:38:44,554
FINALLY GET THE WORD THAT
THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
833
00:38:44,622 --> 00:38:47,390
Cherrey: WHEN WE FINALLY
GOT WORD THAT HE WAS ON BOARD
834
00:38:47,458 --> 00:38:49,692
AND HAD EGRESSED OUT
OF SERBIAN AIRSPACE,
835
00:38:49,695 --> 00:38:52,362
IT WAS JUST SUCH
A TREMENDOUS RELIEF.
836
00:38:52,430 --> 00:38:56,066
IT WAS EXTREMELY REWARDING
IN THAT WE GOT HIM OUT.
837
00:38:58,636 --> 00:39:01,037
Narrator:
PROTECTING THE DOWNED PILOT
838
00:39:01,039 --> 00:39:04,607
IS YET ANOTHER FEATHER
IN THE A-10'S CAP.
839
00:39:04,675 --> 00:39:06,909
Grant:
AS A SLOWER-FLYING PLATFORM
840
00:39:06,912 --> 00:39:10,179
AND A PLATFORM DESIGNED
TO WORK WITH GROUND FORCES
841
00:39:10,281 --> 00:39:13,183
AND TO SEARCH OUT
PIECES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT,
842
00:39:13,251 --> 00:39:15,918
THE A-10 TURNED OUT TO BE
A GREAT PLATFORM
843
00:39:15,987 --> 00:39:20,189
FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE AS WELL.
844
00:39:20,258 --> 00:39:25,328
Narrator: BY NOW, THE A-10
ISN'T JUST A FAVORITE OF PILOTS;
845
00:39:25,330 --> 00:39:29,232
IT'S A FAVORITE OF THE MEN
AND WOMEN WHO MAINTAIN IT, TOO.
846
00:39:29,300 --> 00:39:30,912
Matthew Newson: THE A-10 IS
A COOL AND UNIQUE AIRCRAFT
847
00:39:30,936 --> 00:39:36,806
TO WORK ON BECAUSE IT IS
AN EASY AIRPLANE TO MAINTAIN.
848
00:39:36,808 --> 00:39:39,308
Narrator: IT'S NOT JUST EASY;
849
00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:41,077
IT'S CHEAP.
850
00:39:41,146 --> 00:39:48,284
THE A-10 COSTS JUST OVER $19,000
PER FLYING HOUR TO MAINTAIN.
851
00:39:48,386 --> 00:39:52,355
THAT'S THE LOWEST
IN THE AIR FORCE INVENTORY.
852
00:39:52,423 --> 00:39:53,723
Newson: THE A-10 IS RESILIENT.
853
00:39:53,791 --> 00:39:54,869
IT'S RESILIENT TO WEATHER,
854
00:39:54,893 --> 00:39:57,627
IT'S RESILIENT
TO THE SMALL ARMS FIRE,
855
00:39:57,695 --> 00:39:59,606
IT'S RESILIENT IN
ALMOST EVERY WAY.
856
00:39:59,630 --> 00:40:03,266
THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR PROS
TO MAINTAINING THIS AIRCRAFT.
857
00:40:05,637 --> 00:40:08,705
Narrator: IT'S A LOT OF BANG
FOR YOUR BUCK.
858
00:40:08,773 --> 00:40:10,006
AND JUST HOW MUCH
859
00:40:10,074 --> 00:40:13,243
WAS GETTING READY
TO BE PROVEN AGAIN IN IRAQ.
860
00:40:19,417 --> 00:40:23,486
APRIL 7, 2003, IRAQ.
861
00:40:23,554 --> 00:40:26,322
FIGHTING RAGES ACROSS BAGHDAD.
862
00:40:26,391 --> 00:40:29,259
AMERICAN AND ALLIED SOLDIERS
STORM THROUGH THE STREETS,
863
00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:30,593
UNDER HEAVY FIRE
864
00:40:30,662 --> 00:40:34,597
FROM PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S
REPUBLICAN GUARD.
865
00:40:34,666 --> 00:40:36,076
Kim Campbell:
THAT DAY WE GOT A CALL
866
00:40:36,100 --> 00:40:38,434
SAYING THAT TROOPS
WERE IN CONTACT
867
00:40:38,470 --> 00:40:40,470
AND THEY NEEDED
IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
868
00:40:40,538 --> 00:40:42,449
Narrator:
LIEUTENANT COLONEL KIM CAMPBELL
869
00:40:42,473 --> 00:40:45,541
WAS AN A-10 PILOT
IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
870
00:40:45,544 --> 00:40:48,211
HER CALL SIGN: KILLER CHICK.
871
00:40:48,213 --> 00:40:50,914
[SOLDIERS SHOUTING]
872
00:40:50,982 --> 00:40:53,850
Campbell: THEY SAID
THEY WERE TAKING FIRE
873
00:40:53,918 --> 00:40:56,185
AND THEY NEEDED
IMMEDIATE SUPPORT
874
00:40:56,254 --> 00:40:58,822
FROM OUR AIRCRAFT
OVERHEAD THEIR LOCATION.
875
00:41:04,228 --> 00:41:06,629
Narrator: MOMENTS LATER,
THE WARTHOGS FIND THEMSELVES
876
00:41:06,698 --> 00:41:09,632
LOOKING DOWN
AT AN EPIC GUN BATTLE,
877
00:41:09,700 --> 00:41:13,135
WITH AMERICAN TROOPS
ON THE LOSING SIDE.
878
00:41:13,204 --> 00:41:14,637
Campbell: THEY WERE TAKING FIRE
879
00:41:14,639 --> 00:41:17,940
FROM MEMBERS
OF THE IRAQI REPUBLICAN GUARD.
880
00:41:18,009 --> 00:41:21,244
THE FRIENDLIES WERE LOW
ON AMMUNITION, LOW ON SUPPLIES,
881
00:41:21,313 --> 00:41:24,447
AND SO WE KNEW THAT
THIS SITUATION WAS SERIOUS
882
00:41:24,515 --> 00:41:28,217
AND THAT WE NEEDED TO GET
IN THERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
883
00:41:28,286 --> 00:41:31,420
Narrator:
THE A-10s DON'T WASTE A MINUTE.
884
00:41:31,489 --> 00:41:36,726
THEY DIVE DOWN
AND GET RIGHT TO WORK.
885
00:41:36,794 --> 00:41:38,539
Campbell:
WE MADE SEVERAL PASSES,
886
00:41:38,563 --> 00:41:40,096
BOTH WITH OUR GATLING GUN
887
00:41:40,164 --> 00:41:42,465
AND HIGH-EXPLOSIVE ROCKETS
ON THE ENEMY LOCATION.
888
00:41:52,410 --> 00:41:53,576
Soldier: GO, GO, GO...
889
00:41:53,644 --> 00:41:56,379
Narrator: AMERICAN TROOPS
SCRAMBLE TO SAFETY.
890
00:41:56,447 --> 00:41:59,715
BUT THE IRAQI FIGHTERS
DON'T GIVE UP EASILY.
891
00:41:59,784 --> 00:42:01,551
AS THE A-10s HEAD OUT,
892
00:42:01,619 --> 00:42:06,422
ANTI-ARTILLERY FIRE
AND RPGs STREAK BY.
893
00:42:06,491 --> 00:42:08,825
Campbell: I HAD COME DOWN LOW
TO DO THE ROCKET PASS
894
00:42:08,893 --> 00:42:11,895
AND WAS CLIMBING BACK UP,
895
00:42:11,963 --> 00:42:15,899
AND THAT'S WHEN I JUST FELT
AND HEARD A VERY LARGE IMPACT
896
00:42:15,967 --> 00:42:18,434
AT THE BACK OF THE JET.
897
00:42:18,503 --> 00:42:21,737
I KNEW IMMEDIATELY
I HAD BEEN HIT BY ENEMY FIRE.
898
00:42:21,806 --> 00:42:25,374
Narrator: THE IMPACT DUMPS
THE WARTHOG'S NOSE FORWARD.
899
00:42:25,377 --> 00:42:27,021
SUDDENLY,
LIEUTENANT COLONEL CAMPBELL
900
00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:29,745
FINDS HERSELF
LOOKING STRAIGHT DOWN
901
00:42:29,814 --> 00:42:32,548
AT A CITY
OF 11 MILLION PEOPLE...
902
00:42:32,617 --> 00:42:34,317
MANY OF THEM HOSTILE.
903
00:42:34,385 --> 00:42:37,219
Campbell: SO I'M STARING
AT BAGHDAD THINKING THAT
904
00:42:37,288 --> 00:42:41,257
THIS IS NOT THE LOCATION
THAT I WANT TO EJECT IN.
905
00:42:41,259 --> 00:42:43,659
AND SO I JUST FOCUSED
ON THE TASK AT HAND
906
00:42:43,662 --> 00:42:46,996
OF GETTING THE AIRCRAFT
UNDER CONTROL.
907
00:42:46,998 --> 00:42:48,509
Narrator:
CAMPBELL HAS JUST SECONDS
908
00:42:48,533 --> 00:42:50,866
TO SIZE UP HER SITUATION.
909
00:42:50,869 --> 00:42:54,036
SHE CAN SEE RIGHT AWAY
THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
910
00:42:54,105 --> 00:42:56,305
Campbell: I HAD
SEVERAL CAUTION LIGHTS,
911
00:42:56,374 --> 00:42:58,875
LOTS OF THINGS FLASHING,
LOTS OF NOISES,
912
00:42:58,943 --> 00:43:04,447
THE AIRPLANE IS NOT
RESPONDING TO MY INPUT.
913
00:43:04,515 --> 00:43:07,817
THE BIGGEST THING TO ME WAS
THE HYDRAULIC GAUGES READ ZERO,
914
00:43:07,885 --> 00:43:09,730
AND I HAD COMPLETELY
LOST HYDRAULICS
915
00:43:09,754 --> 00:43:11,387
WHEN THE AIRCRAFT GOT HIT.
916
00:43:11,455 --> 00:43:13,422
Narrator: HYDRAULICS
PROVIDE THE POWER
917
00:43:13,425 --> 00:43:17,526
TO MOVE AN AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT
CONTROLS AND LANDING GEAR.
918
00:43:17,595 --> 00:43:19,228
FOR MOST AIRCRAFT,
919
00:43:19,296 --> 00:43:22,098
LOSING HYDRAULIC POWER
WOULD MEAN SURE DISASTER.
920
00:43:22,100 --> 00:43:24,734
BUT NOT FOR THE STURDY A-10.
921
00:43:24,802 --> 00:43:26,882
Campbell: IF YOU LOSE
ONE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM,
922
00:43:26,937 --> 00:43:29,839
THEN OUR AIRCRAFT IS BUILT SO
THE OTHER SYSTEM WILL TAKE OVER.
923
00:43:29,941 --> 00:43:31,819
IF YOU LOSE
BOTH HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS,
924
00:43:31,843 --> 00:43:36,045
THEN WE HAVE THIS SYSTEM
CALLED MANUAL REVERSION.
925
00:43:36,113 --> 00:43:38,781
Narrator: THE A-10
IS THE ONLY AIR FORCE FIGHTER
926
00:43:38,783 --> 00:43:41,851
WITH THE MANUAL
REVERSION OPTION.
927
00:43:41,853 --> 00:43:45,721
TO ACTIVATE IT,
THE PILOT SIMPLY FLIPS A SWITCH.
928
00:43:45,724 --> 00:43:47,723
THIS DEACTIVATES
THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
929
00:43:47,726 --> 00:43:50,126
AND ALLOWS THE PILOT
TO STEER THE PLANE
930
00:43:50,194 --> 00:43:53,696
USING A SERIES
OF CABLES AND PULLEYS.
931
00:43:53,764 --> 00:43:57,299
SHE CONTROLS THESE
THROUGH SHEER MUSCLE POWER.
932
00:43:57,368 --> 00:44:00,503
IT'S KIND OF LIKE DRIVING
A 25,000-POUND CAR
933
00:44:00,571 --> 00:44:04,907
WITHOUT POWER STEERING
AT 400 MILES AN HOUR.
934
00:44:04,975 --> 00:44:07,210
Campbell:
IT'S JUST A MANUAL WAY
935
00:44:07,278 --> 00:44:09,612
OF CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT,
936
00:44:09,681 --> 00:44:12,815
KIND OF BACK TO
THE EARLY DAYS OF FLYING.
937
00:44:12,917 --> 00:44:17,887
Narrator:
CAMPBELL RADIOS BACK TO BASE
TO TELL THEM SHE'S COMING IN.
938
00:44:17,955 --> 00:44:22,425
ONLY TWO A-10 PILOTS HAVE EVER
ATTEMPTED A MANUAL LANDING,
939
00:44:22,493 --> 00:44:25,828
AND ONLY ONE OF THEM SURVIVED.
940
00:44:25,896 --> 00:44:27,630
Campbell: MY GUT FEELING WAS
941
00:44:27,699 --> 00:44:29,677
THAT I WAS GOING TO TRY
TO LAND THE AIRPLANE.
942
00:44:29,701 --> 00:44:33,335
THE A-10 HAD, IT HAD
SERVED ME WELL UP THIS POINT,
943
00:44:33,404 --> 00:44:36,706
AND I WASN'T READY
TO EJECT OUT OF IT.
944
00:44:36,708 --> 00:44:40,509
Narrator: THE RUNWAY IS LINED
WITH EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.
945
00:44:40,578 --> 00:44:42,545
CAMPBELL IS SO FOCUSED
ON LANDING
946
00:44:42,613 --> 00:44:44,414
THAT SHE DOESN'T EVEN NOTICE.
947
00:44:52,990 --> 00:44:54,790
ONCE SHE'S ON THE GROUND,
948
00:44:54,859 --> 00:44:59,361
CAMPBELL CAN FINALLY SEE
HOW BADLY SHE'S BEEN HIT.
949
00:44:59,430 --> 00:45:02,331
Campbell: I HAD HUNDREDS
OF HOLES IN THE FUSELAGE
950
00:45:02,333 --> 00:45:04,567
AND TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT
951
00:45:04,635 --> 00:45:07,336
AND A GIANT FOOTBALL-SIZED HOLE
952
00:45:07,404 --> 00:45:10,473
IN THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER
AT THE BACK OF THE AIRCRAFT.
953
00:45:10,541 --> 00:45:11,774
I REALLY FELT LIKE
954
00:45:11,842 --> 00:45:14,477
IF I HAD BEEN FLYING
ANY OTHER AIRCRAFT THAT DAY
955
00:45:14,479 --> 00:45:19,381
THAT MAYBE MY SITUATION WOULDN'T
HAVE TURNED OUT IN THE SAME WAY.
956
00:45:19,450 --> 00:45:21,195
Narrator: LIEUTENANT COLONEL
CAMPBELL'S MISSION
957
00:45:21,219 --> 00:45:25,822
SHOULD HAVE CEMENTED
THE A-10'S REPUTATION.
958
00:45:25,890 --> 00:45:27,556
BUT NOT A MONTH AFTER,
959
00:45:27,559 --> 00:45:30,459
THE NEW YORK TIMES GETS HOLD
OF A CONFIDENTIAL MEMO
960
00:45:30,528 --> 00:45:34,330
PLOTTING THE WARTHOG'S DEMISE.
961
00:45:34,398 --> 00:45:36,732
Dave Deptula: SOME OF
THE SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE TODAY
962
00:45:36,801 --> 00:45:38,111
YOU PUT IN
A HIGH-THREAT ENVIRONMENT
963
00:45:38,135 --> 00:45:40,369
AND THEY'LL START FALLING
FROM THE SKY LIKE RAIN.
964
00:45:40,371 --> 00:45:44,173
Sprey:
MAJOR GENERAL DAVE DEPTULA
965
00:45:44,241 --> 00:45:46,609
PROPOSED THAT
THE A-10 FLEET BE WIPED OUT
966
00:45:46,677 --> 00:45:49,278
WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
967
00:45:49,346 --> 00:45:50,913
Narrator: IT LOOKS LIKE THE A-10
968
00:45:50,982 --> 00:45:54,383
HAS ITS HEAD
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK YET AGAIN.
969
00:45:54,452 --> 00:45:59,055
AND THIS TIME, THE AIR FORCE
IS DETERMINED TO SUCCEED.
970
00:46:01,392 --> 00:46:02,392
MAY 27, 2003.
76241
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