Hawgsmoke team hits the bull's eye! Published April 7, 2006 By 1st Lt. Torri White 917th Wing Public Affairs Barksdale AFB, La -- Out of 17 teams from around the world, the 47th Fighter Squadron proved they were the Top Bombing Team at Hawgsmoke 2006. They won a total of five awards in the biennial A-10 competition held March 22-25 at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The four person team was led by Maj. Robert Hetland and consisted of Lt. Cols. J.R. Russell, Rodney Glass and Maj. Michael Bachtell. Other awards for the team included 3rd place first run attack and 3rd place overall flight. In the individual award category, Colonel Russell took first place in the top level bomber competition and Major Bachtell was 3rd overall pilot in the competition. “This competition gives us a chance to test our skills,” says Major Hetland. “The most rewarding part of Hawgsmoke is the camaraderie that it builds among A-10 pilots, no matter what squadron or branch.” The competition involved teams from the Air National Guard, Air Force and Air Force Reserve. It tested A-10 pilot skill in target acquisition, weapons delivery, flight leadership and mutual support, much-needed skills being applied in the ongoing global war on terrorism. Experienced fighter pilots judged tactical execution, gunnery results and target destruction to determine individual and team winners. The competition was won by the 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo., and the 354th Fighter Squadron from Davis Monthan, Ariz. placed second.