A-10 Warthogs Return From Epic Fury With Nose Art, Kill Marks, and MALD Decoys

Eleven A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from Moody Air Force Base returned from CENTCOM after missions in Operation Epic Fury over Iraq and Syria, arriving at RAF Lakenheath on their way home. The jets sport nose art and bomb markings, including two Iranian vessel kill marks on the A-10C nicknamed “Samus.” Markings hint at a variety of weapons used (JDAMs, Mavericks, APKWS rockets, and GAU-8 cannon) and even MALD decoys. One A-10C nicknamed “Toad” is missing with unknown fate, and the article notes a growing maritime role for the Warthogs, who have previously escorted ships and participated in live-fire exercises.