December 18, 1981 saw the arrival of the first two A-10s, 80-221 and 80-222 assigned to Eielson AFB. Soon after their arrival 80-221 received an Arctic white paint scheme that differed from the usual all grey or green. This was an experimental scheme for the upcoming exercise Cool Snow Hog 82-1 that was the first test for the A-10 operating at a forward base in Alaska. The exercise took place from March 8 to 16, 1982 in the area of Kotzebue, Alaska. The Snow Hog operating in Alaska never panned out.