On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:15:58 -0500, Mitchell Holman
wrote:

"Alan Erskine" wrote in news:4duwn.18839
:


"Mitchell Holman" wrote in message
. 130...


Is she the A-10 pilot from Operation Iraqi Freedom who had her aircraft
'scratched-up'?



Don't think so. Watts is Navy, and they don't fly A-10's.


On April 7 2003 Capt. Kim Campbell of the 75th FS deployed in her
A-10A Warthog. As part of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing during OIF
the mission was to provide close air support over Baghdad for ground
troops. Ready to begin the return flight her aircraft was struck by
enemy fire destroying all hydraulic systems. After a brief time Capt.
Campbell realized she was going to have to fly the aircraft without
hydraulic assistance or bail out over Baghdad, which really wasn’t an
option in her mind. Her flight lead assessed the damage and determined
that the aircraft had hits to the rear, including the horizontal
stabilizer, tail section and engine cowling. Luckily the damage didn’t
affect the flight control surfaces or landing gear. There were two
options now, continue to fly the aircraft clear of Baghdad and bail
out or try to return to base and attempt a landing. Capt. Campbell
felt the aircraft was operating well so return to base became the
priority. The aircraft made a safe landing and the next problem was
staying on the runway and stopping. Without hydraulics there are no
speed brakes, brakes or steering. When it was all over Capt. Campbell
praised the A-10 for its ability to sustain heavy damage and continue
to fly. This occurrence earned Capt. Kim Campbell the nickname “Killer
Chick”.