A-10 Thunderbolt II Memorial

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft designed specifically for close air support of ground forces. Affectionately called the Warthog, the single-seat, twin-engine A-10 is built around a 30mm gatling gun. It has a long loiter time and carries a large payload of weapons capable of destroying a wide variety of ground targets. It has a speed of 420 miles per hour and a range of 695 NM. The first A-10 was delivered to the Air Force in Oct., 1975, and was later assigned to the 57th Tactical Training Wing at Nellis in the late 1970s. However, the A-10 on display was assigned to the 706th Fighter Squadron, NAS New Orleans, and flew in Operation Desert Storm 1n 1991. It is on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Freedom Park is located inside the gates of Nellis AFB, and is home to many military memorials. The U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis reports directly to the Air Combat Command. The center was founded Sept. 1, 1966, as the U.S. Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons Center. It was later renamed the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center in October, 2005. The Mission: The USAFWC conducts warfighter-centric live and virtual operational test and evaluation, tactics development, and advanced training to optimize Air Force capabilities and prepare airmen for joint, all domain combat operations. (Current as of August 2020).

Details of memorial below:

CURRENT STATE OF MAINTENANCE: Good.

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL MAINTAINING: Nellis AFB.

BEING USED AS A FOCAL POINT FOR CEREMONIES: No. However there is a covered community area with BBQ equipment in the park, where ceremonies could be held. Permission to use the facility must be obtained from base officials.

MEMORIAL DESCRIPTION: An actual aircraft mounted for display.

HOURS OPEN FOR VISITING: Business hours, seven days.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: No. Generally open to military retirees and active duty military with government I.D.

LOCATION: Freedom Park, located inside Nellis Air Force Base, 4700 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas, NV, 89191-6600.

GPS: NELLIS AFB: 36.242360 -115.039120

ORGANIZATION/INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR MEMORIAL: Nellis Air Force Base.

DESIGNED BY: Fairchild-Republic

FUNDED BY: Nellis Air Force Base.

COST: Unable to quote a memorial price in the truest sense, as the item is an actual aircraft. In cases such as locations like Nellis AFB, labor is most likely carried out by on-duty airmen as a part of their daily activities. Today an actual working A-10 can be purchased for $18.8 million. For comparison, in 2020 prices, lawn-level monuments start at $599, bronze at $795, bevel at $900, slant at $1,200 upright at $1,900 and up. Depending on material and design factors, there is no upper dollar limit. Concerning the price of donated materials and labor, actual costs are difficult to ascertain.

LOCATION: Freedom Park, located inside Nellis Air Force Base, 4700 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas, NV, 89191-6600.