Probably not news to many of you but I thought I'd post this nonetheless:
Interesting to see they're trying to lengthen the legs of the Hawg. The types of COIN sorties they fly these days in A-stan with multiple trips to the tanker must finally be getting reviewed. How about that loadout too!
From the Warthog News Facebook page:
"An A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, moves down the runway at Eglin AFB, Florida. The aircraft is loaded up with weaponry to test the combat carriage limits of the Sargent Fletcher external fuel tank. The A-10 flight personnel are testing to ensure the A-10 can carry the tank into a combat environment safely. If proven to be safe to carry, the tank will add up to 60 minutes of flighttime to its combat sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.) Note: Pictured is A-10C 81-0989 from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, 46th Test Wing (ACC), Eglin AFB, Florida. Date of shot isn't mentioned in the original photo caption. But according to this photo's official U.S. military VIRIN code and also to EXIF data, it should be taken August 14, 2013."