REAL THAW is the Portuguese military’s premiere annual exercise that integrates the Portuguese Army, Navy and Air Force for joint operations and scenarios. For Real Thaw 2013 NATO partners also attended, including 6 A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 81st Fighter Squadron "Panthers" of the 52nd Fighter Wing Spangdahlem air base Germany (USAFE).

During February 11th to 22nd 2013 the 81st FS provided close Close Air Support (CAS), Maritime support and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) for F16's and EH-101s of the Portuguese Air Force and Lynx helicopters of the the Portuguese Navy.

This was to be the last sorties flown for the A-10C aircraft of the 81st FS that attended REAL THAW 2013 as the A-10's departed Monte Real AB after the excercise for Lajes field Azores, en route to Continental United States (CONUS) for the squadrons upcoming deactivation.

Author/photography Mark Forest