A-10 In Jeopardy Again?

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot maneuvers into formation while waiting for his wingman to conduct refueling operations with a KC-135 Stratotanker over Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, March 12, 2018. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook)

DoD Buzz: A-10 in Jeopardy Again? Air Force May Not Keep All Warthogs Until 2030

The Air Force may be backtracking from its stated plan to keep the A-10 Thunderbolt II flying until 2030.

During a House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land subcommittee hearing on Thursday, Lt. Gen. Jerry D. Harris, the service's deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements, said as a platform, the A-10, beloved among ground troops and attack pilots alike, will remain until roughly that time period.

But even as the "Warthog" got funding for brand-new wings in the $1.3 trillion omnibus budget, that doesn't necessarily mean every one of them will be flying until 2030, Harris said.

"We will have to get back to you on the groundings per year, per airplanes," Harris said in response to Rep. Martha McSally, a Republican from Arizona and former Air Force A-10 pilot.

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Update #1: The Air Force May Have Managed A Way To Quietly Ground Roughly A Third Of The A-10 Flee (Warzone)
Update #2: Portion of A-10 fleet to move into backup status in lead up to FY25 (Defense News)

WNU editor: Just another sign on the U.S. Air Force's reluctance to use this plane for close air ground support.