I’ve been looking for a picture of this A-10 for years! I was stationed at Skopje (Army UAV Operator) when this plane landed and we helped secure the aircraft/live ordnance until 3-armored HMMV showed up and took over. We were the first to greet the young officer as he climbed out of the cockpit.

He was still buzzing on adrenaline from his near death experience as we all looked at the damage and he told us what happened. (From my memory) He made a run on a target, pulled up, popped flares, immediately heard a SAM tone, banked and popped flares again! He looked over his shoulder for the incoming SAM, saw nothing, missile tone still sounding he banked and popped flares again, then instantly felt a huge jolt/bang and the aircraft shuddered. He quickly looked forward of the aircraft to see the SAM explode slightly high/left and in front of him. A SAM shot from below the right engine nacelle exited the top of the nacelle and detonated out in front of the aircraft. There was a hole through the right side of the nacelle about the size of a football! The damaged engine through parts like shrapnel. The damage was spread mostly through the right wing cutting hydraulic lines. We all starred in amazement, as the hydraulic fluid was dripping/pouring from everywhere making puddles on the flight line. I made a comment to the pilot “it looks like blood!” He said; ya, but these things are tough, it’ll fly again. It was truly and awesome site.

The aircraft was towed to the North end of the airport and waited for a crew to come and repair it. It was about 2 weeks later when an experienced pilot started making taxi tests and eventually took off and didn’t return.