A-10 pods help track bad guys, protect friendly forces

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  When lightning strikes, it affects the surrounding area. The same could be said of an A-10 Thunderbolt II strike, especially when complemented by the advanced capabilities provided by the Litening precision targeting pod system.

The navigation pod provides A-10 pilots with more than improved attack capabilities, said Capt. Matt McGarry, 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron weapons officer. With it, a pilot flying close-air support for ground troops has more options to search out enemies and protect friendly forces.

“The Litening pod adds great capabilities to an already outstanding close-air support (aircraft),” he said.

The externally mounted pod enables fighter pilots to detect and identify ground targets, and accurately deliver conventional and precision-guided munitions.

The greatest benefit to ground troops is the pod’s laser designator, said Capt. Chris Taylor, 355th EFS A-10 pilot. This adds a capability to the A-10 that it did not have before -- the ability to drop precision-guided bombs.

“When we are flying close-air support missions, the troops on the ground want precision munitions -- bringing laser-guided munitions to the fight is a great bonus for the A-10.”

This pod is exceptionally useful in many ways, especially at night, said Captain McGarry.

“Litening is another sensor to help us find targets, friendly forces and other points of interest -- for example, a potential ambush site in front of a convoy. The pod gives us information we may not be able to see with the naked eye, binoculars or night-vision goggles.”

It also helps A-10 pilots increase the accuracy of the conventional munitions they drop.

“The laser range finder gives us very accurate target elevations, which increases our accuracy,” said Captain McGarry.

Although increasing the accuracy is important with conventional munitions, knowing exactly what is targeted can mean the difference between life and death, especially for friendly forces on the ground.

“With my eyes, I can see a vehicle,” said Captain McGarry. “With binoculars, I can tell if it is a car or a truck. With Litening, I can tell if the vehicle has been driven recently and how many people are standing next to it.”

Captain McGarry relates it to a recent mission where he provided top cover to a group of Afghan and American Soldiers entering a village to talk with its elders about potential attackers. The ground commander was concerned that enemy forces might be watching his men and asked the pilot to check out the village. He was able to survey the village from the air, give the ground forces a heads-up on potential threats and watch those targets.

This requires a great deal of coordination with ground forces through joint terminal-attack controllers, Captain McGarry said. They are specially trained to coordinate aircraft movement, as well as directing air strikes from the ground.

“Although I can use the Litening pod and determine there are people in buildings, I can’t tell whether or not the people are friendly or hostile -- the (controllers) can relay information to me and let me know if I need to engage the targets or continue to watch the situation,” he said.

The added combat capabilities enhance the A-10’s mission here, Captain Taylor said.

“Flying with the Litening pod truly adds another option to my ability to monitor the ground,” he said. “I have a lot more tools to watch for the bad guys and look out for the good guys.”