5/30/2012 - A pilot deployed with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan prepares a U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II for a mission May 27, 2012. The A-10 is deployed from the 188th Fighter Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard. The A-10, affectionately dubbed the “Warthog,” is a specialized ground-attack aircraft, which provides close-air support to ground forces operating in Afghanistan. The 188th currently has approximately 75 Airmen deployed to Bagram in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 188th will deploy an additional 300 Airmen to Afghanistan later this summer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Raymond Geoffroy)