DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona –
As the A-10C Thunderbolt II approaches the final chapter of its historic service, one man stands as a testament to the courage, determination and tireless dedication that characterizes the community surrounding this revered, battle-tested aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Reserve pilot Lt. Col. Timothy “Scream” Mitchell, a pilot with nearly twenty years of experience flying the A-10, was recently honored with a safety award not only for his actions on one horrific night, but for a career that embodies the spirit of the A-10 and those who fly and support it.
In March of this year, Mitchell and Captain Dylan “Mac” Vail, an active-duty pilot with the 357th Fighter Wing, were on a two-plane training flight during which Vail was being trained by Mitchell as a flight instructor. It was a routine night training mission.
Mitchell, instructor pilot and flight commander of the 47th Fighter Wing, and Vail found themselves in a situation that was anything but ordinary.
Vail began to show signs of hypoxia, a condition in which the brain is deprived of adequate oxygen and cognitive function is impaired. While Vail struggled to maintain control of his plane, Mitchell’s calm demeanor and quick thinking enabled him to provide crucial instructions over the radio to get Vail back to safety.
“I could barely think straight,” recalls Vail, a Houston native and Air Force Academy graduate. “Mitchell was there every step of the way, simplifying everything and telling me exactly what I needed to do. His voice and experience certainly brought me back down to earth.”
Vail said Mitchell’s actions that night were more than just the mark of a skilled pilot. They were the embodiment of a philosophy that is deeply ingrained in the A-10 community: one that puts the mission and the safety of those involved first.
“People are always blown away by the airplanes,” said Mitchell, a native of Lockney, Texas, who studied at Texas A&M. “But the most important thing is the community that supports it.”
Standing next to the very first A-10 he flew (tail number 9154), Mitchell reflected on his nearly two-decade journey with the aircraft.
“I’m old,” he said with a chuckle. “I was trying to find some mug shots that used to have my name on them, and I think they went to either Moody AFB or the Boneyard. So here it is.”
Looking back on his career, Mitchell shared the unique history of the artwork that adorns the 47th Pursuit Squadron’s A-10s, explaining that each aircraft features a character from Andy Capp’s “Dogpatch” cartoon series, a tradition that dates back to World War II.
“The 47th Pursuit Squadron paid Andy Capp $1 for copyright of his characters to be placed on all of their aircraft,” Mitchell explained. “Each aircraft has its own character from the original Little Abner cartoons.”
That pride and dedication have been cornerstones of Mitchell’s career since he first flew the A-10 in January 2005. His journey from a young lieutenant in the 47th FS to experienced commander and mentor is a testament to his commitment not only to the aircraft, but to the people who fly and maintain it.
“Training new fighter pilots and passing on the knowledge gained – that is our job,” he says. “We are providers who solve problems for people in a dynamic situation, and we are very good at that.”
Lt. Col. Aaron “Nacho” Weedman, commander of the 924th Fighter Group, expressed immense pride in Mitchell’s service.
“His actions in instructing a student during a mission in which the student experienced a serious physiological incident saved the life of another pilot,” Weedman said.
Mitchell believes his recent safety award recognition is not only a personal accolade, but also a symbol of the ethos that has guided the A-10 community for decades. The award highlights his quick thinking during the March 2024 incident and his broader contributions to A-10 pilot safety and training.
Weedman also emphasized the far-reaching impact of Mitchell’s experience.
“His actions this evening underscore the importance of the experience and maturity that AFRC (Air Force Reserve Command) pilot instructors bring to the A-10 FTU (Formal Training Unit) mission,” Weedman said. “This experience is used to strengthen the entire force and train combat-ready wingmen for the A-10 community.”
The legacy of this aircraft and the community that has rallied around it is as strong as ever. For pilots like Mitchell and Vail, the A-10 is more than just a machine – it is a symbol of camaraderie, a testament to the importance of the mission and a reminder of the enduring reputation of those who fly it.
Now a certified flight instructor himself, Vail reflects on the legacy he inherits from experienced pilots like Mitchell.
“I love the A-10. I love its mission,” Vail said. “But what makes it so special is the people – the community of pilots who are dedicated to this aircraft and what it stands for.”
As the A-10 slowly fades from U.S. military service, its legacy will live on in the stories of those who flew it, those who maintained it, whose lives it saved, and those who, like Lt. Col. Timothy “Scream” Mitchell, ensured that all pilots returned home safely.
Because today, as then, the spirit of the A-10 lives on, supported by a community that will never forget what it means to fly the Warthog.
