Event date: 31 Mar – 4 Apr 2021
This year the competition is being hosted by the 74th Fighter Squadron and Veterans First Light (VFL) at Moody AFB in Valdosta Georgia.
Hawgsmoke traces its lineage to the now-discontinued “Gunsmoke” event. Gunsmoke was the USAF’s air-to-ground gunnery and bombing competition with multiple airframes held at Nellis AFB, with the last event was held in 1995. The inaugural Hawgsmoke was in 2000 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan, hosted by the Michigan ANG’s 172nd Fighter Squadron. Col. Cliff Latta is credited with initiating Hawgsmoke, which is now a biennial, worldwide A-10 bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition.
This tournament is a unique and intense challenge for Hawg drivers as each squadron pits its best pilots against the same tactical situation in order to find out who is truly the best. It is also an opportunity for the pilots and support crews to share in the camaraderie and legacy of the world’s premier close air support fighter.
In 2020 Hawgsmoke returns to the only base with two active duty A-10 squadrons, Moody AFB in Georgia.
