Iconic Flying Tigers’ A-10 returns to the skies

The distinctive shark teeth markings on the military aircraft of the 23d Wing are more than just an aesthetic choice.

These markings serve as a crucial aspect of operational effectiveness, projecting power and intimidating adversaries while instilling confidence in allies.

From July 15-19, 2024, Airmen from the 23rd Maintenance Squadron engaged in a four-day repainting effort to apply the iconic “Flying Tigers” nose art to A-10C Thunderbolt II tail number A213. This effort underscores the importance of the visual deterrent symbolized by the shark teeth.

“For me, it’s important because the A-10 teeth are iconic in their own way,” said Tech. Sgt. Mark King, 23rd Maintenance Squadron corrosion manager. “It’s even been adopted by the fashion industry, and the teeth are everywhere. We’re the only ones in the Air Force that actually apply it to our nose art, and it means a lot to be able to represent it.”

The repainting process is part of routine jet maintenance. Each time an A-10 returns to Moody from a maintenance depot, it undergoes a meticulous process to ensure it is combat-ready. The process involves washing, sanding, masking, and applying multiple colors and stencils to achieve the final look.

“First and foremost, before it even rolls into the paint barn, it will be washed,” explained Staff Sgt. William Rogers, 23rd Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman. “The next steps are sanding and masking everything off that is not going to get painted to avoid overspray. After that, we mask and re-mask the jet – putting it through the multiple colors, stencils, and different curing times.”

Equipped with a specialized jet-sized paint booth and a large cutting-edge printer for making decals and stencils, these Airmen transform into high-tech artists to bring the Flying Tiger aircraft to life.

“It’s one of the greatest feelings … some people can’t even believe we do stuff like this,” Rogers said. “People love to come and watch the process. For the plane to come out and look really nice, it always makes us feel good.”

The shark teeth design dates back to World War II, tracing its heritage to the original Flying Tigers. The unmistakable markings are an important piece of Moody and Air Force culture, symbolizing strength and readiness.

“It feels great knowing that these jets are providing close air support for the troops on the ground,” King said. “We’re the only ones with those teeth, so they know who we are, where we’re from, and what we do. Once they see the teeth, they know that Moody is here!”

After spending a week at the Moody paint barn, the freshly decorated A-10C Thunderbolt II is ready to take to the skies.