With over 7,500 hours behind the stick of the Warthog, Lt. Col. John 'Karl' Marks mastered the skies like no other—cementing his legacy as the face of the A-10’s unmatched roar, saving countless lives with each mission.
Today’s SOFREP Pic of the Day features LTC John “Karl” Marks and his A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog.” He and his trusty Warthog have saved more bacon than a fat guy stealing his “to-go” order at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
The A-10 Warthog: The Troops’ Guardian Angel
If you’ve ever called in close air support and heard that lifesaving “Bbbrrrrttttttttt!!! while you got chills up your spine you know exactly what I mean. Check out the music of the GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon in the video below.
Lt. Col. Marks: The Man Behind the Warthog’s Roar
Lt. Col. John “Karl” Marks, the highest-time A-10 pilot in history, officially retired on August 23, 2024, after an illustrious 37-year career. Marks, a legend within the A-10 community, logged more than 7,500 hours in the cockpit of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the “Warthog.” His retirement ceremony was held at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, where he was honored by a crowd of past and present A-10 pilots, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), and family members.
Marks participated in 13 deployments throughout his career, flew 358 combat sorties, and logged 1,161 combat hours, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, 18 Air Medals, and 11 Aerial Achievement Medals. He is perhaps best known for his performance during Operation Desert Storm, where he and his flight lead, Capt. Eric Solomonson destroyed 23 Iraqi tanks in a single day.
Marks as a young LT.
Marks’ legacy goes beyond combat. Nearly a third of his total hours were spent as an instructor, shaping the next generation of A-10 pilots. His dedication to mentoring younger pilots is seen as one of his greatest contributions to the A-10 community, ensuring that his expertise would be passed down to those who followed in his footsteps.
Marks, right, poses here back in 2021 with 1LT Dylan Mackey after completing his 7,000th flight hour in the A-10.
Marks’s retirement coincides with the Air Force’s plans to phase out the A-10, making his career a symbol of the close bond between the aircraft and the pilots who flew it. His impact on the A-10 community and the lives of ground troops who benefited from the Warthog’s close air support will not be forgotten.
Today’s SOFREP Pic of the Day features LTC John “Karl” Marks and his A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog.” He and his trusty Warthog have saved more bacon than a fat guy stealing his “to-go” order at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
The A-10 Warthog: The Troops’ Guardian Angel
If you’ve ever called in close air support and heard that lifesaving “Bbbrrrrttttttttt!!! while you got chills up your spine you know exactly what I mean. Check out the music of the GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cannon in the video below.
Lt. Col. Marks: The Man Behind the Warthog’s Roar
Lt. Col. John “Karl” Marks, the highest-time A-10 pilot in history, officially retired on August 23, 2024, after an illustrious 37-year career. Marks, a legend within the A-10 community, logged more than 7,500 hours in the cockpit of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the “Warthog.” His retirement ceremony was held at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, where he was honored by a crowd of past and present A-10 pilots, Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), and family members.
Marks participated in 13 deployments throughout his career, flew 358 combat sorties, and logged 1,161 combat hours, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, 18 Air Medals, and 11 Aerial Achievement Medals. He is perhaps best known for his performance during Operation Desert Storm, where he and his flight lead, Capt. Eric Solomonson destroyed 23 Iraqi tanks in a single day.
Marks as a young LT.
Marks’ legacy goes beyond combat. Nearly a third of his total hours were spent as an instructor, shaping the next generation of A-10 pilots. His dedication to mentoring younger pilots is seen as one of his greatest contributions to the A-10 community, ensuring that his expertise would be passed down to those who followed in his footsteps.
Marks, right, poses here back in 2021 with 1LT Dylan Mackey after completing his 7,000th flight hour in the A-10.
Marks’s retirement coincides with the Air Force’s plans to phase out the A-10, making his career a symbol of the close bond between the aircraft and the pilots who flew it. His impact on the A-10 community and the lives of ground troops who benefited from the Warthog’s close air support will not be forgotten.
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