combat aircraft

At Nellis on

October 7, 1987,

a crew from the

354th Tactical Fighter

Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB,

South Carolina, is judged while

preparing A-10A serial 78-714

during the combat loading event at

‘Gunsmoke 87’.

Jim Dunn

G

UNSMOKE’ WAS A biennial

weapons meet held by the US Air

Force at Nellis AFB, Nevada, until

1995. Active-duty, reserve and Air
      National Guard units sent teams
      of four aircraft, plus one spare,
      to engage in a competition that included
      gunnery and bombing evolutions as well as
      recognition of the pristine turnout of the jets.
      There were weapons loading evaluations and
      overall maintenance records to be scored over
      a 10-day period.
      This image dates back to ‘Gunsmoke 87’ and
      was taken during a media day for the exercise,
      which, the photographer notes, afforded
      excellent access to the Nellis flight line to
      view the rows of immaculate aircraft as the
      participants demonstrated their skills.

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