The Air Force Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, announced that Salina, Kans. will be the host for Hawgsmoke 2008, a biennial gathering of A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the active-duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard scheduled for Oct 15-17, 2008.

Eighty A-10 aircraft along with more than 400 airmen are expected to attend the event.

            The A-10, known as the "Warthog" or "Warthawg," to its pilots and maintainers, is the only Air Force aircraft designed for the close air support mission, which means it attacks targets on the ground to support the Army and Marine Corps.

            "Hawgsmoke 2008 will allow A-10 pilots from across the Air Force to share and develop combat tactics, as well as enhance morale and camaraderie," said Maj. David Kurle, the 442nd Fighter Wing's public affairs officer. "There will also be an event to remember the A-10's heritage.

            "The top event will be an aerial gunnery and bombing competition, which is held over the Smokey Hill Range, southwest of the Salina Airport," he said.

            The wing's 303rd Fighter Squadron won Hawgsmoke 2006, which was held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

            "The winning unit at Hawgsmoke is designated as the unit to host the next competition," Major Kurle said.

            The event grew out of the Air Force's "Gunsmoke" aerial bombing and gunnery competitions held in the 1980s and 90s, which were discontinued.

            "The Air Force A-10 community found the competitions very useful for developing tactics, so the tradition was continued exclusively for A-10 pilots," Major Kurle said.

            The wing will base the event at Salina's airport because of its close proximity to the Smokey Hill Range, which is large enough to accommodate the amount and size of the ordnance used in the competition.

            "Throughout the event, security, and above all safety, will be the top priority for the participants and the organizers," Major Kurle said.  "We will also have aircraft on display and open to the public.

            "We've been very pleased with the support from the Salina community so far," he said. "Salina is the ideal location because of the wonderful aviation facilities and the airport's proximity to the Smoky Hill Weapons Range."