Ground troops, known as "11 Bravos," express a strong preference for the A-10 Warthog due to its effective close air support and the psychological impact of its 30mm Gatling gun. Pilots describe the aircraft as a "grunt in the sky" that can linger over battlefields and withstand ground fire thanks to its titanium armor. The distinctive sound of the gun is referred to by soldiers as the "sound of freedom."
