Article Posted on : - Mar 07, 2011

A file photo of A-10 Thunderbolt.

SEOUL (BNS): The US Air Force (USAF) has deployed its upgraded A-10 ground attack aircraft in South Korea as part of a scheduled deployment, according to a news report.

A total of 12 upgraded A-10 warplanes, capable of carrying conventional munitions, including general-purpose bombs, have been deployed at the US Air Force base in Osan, the official Yonhap news agency reported Monday.

About 350 US airmen and the 12 A-10C jets are activated as the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at the USAF base in Osan, about 55 kilometers south of Seoul, and will work alongside the South Korean Air Force for about six months, the Korean news agency said quoting a US 7th Air Force statement.

The A-10 ‘Thunderbolt’ is a twin-engine combat aircraft used to provide close-air support to ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions.

The fighter, with short takeoff and landing capability, is used to target tanks, armoured vehicles and other ground installations.

The upgraded A-10C Thunderbolt II, with its precision engagement technology based on laser and GPS, is capable of carrying precision-guided bombs.