No F-16 can loiter like an A-10 can.
Move the A-10s to the Army.
I say that as a former zoomie.
/johnny
The Army/Marines should take the A-10 until the drone version is flying. There is no bird in the inventory that can do close air support like the hog.
Agreed.
I’ve worked F-15Es, F-16C/Ds, they’re great fighters, but cannot beat the A-10 in terms of the CAS role. Sure they can get there fast, but they can’t stay long. All of the former A-10 Crew Chiefs I’ve know have given that airframe praise for its ease of maintenance.
I used to jokingly call the A-10 a “Dyke Plane” when I was an Airman. In truth it has always been a favorite of mine.
Retiring it is a huge mistake.
I think the Specter gun ships could probably do most of the A-10’s jobs but they sure look to me like they are just huge targets flying around in circles.
I am sure they have defenses but I wonder what they could be. I often hear them flying around at dusk or night. They have a very distinctive sound.
An F-16 also can’t get one engine and half a wing blown off and return to base.
Bingo ... fast fly boys do not like the lumbering but efficient A10, however troops on the ground love the close fire support rather than the high flying “dual purpose” aircraft.
I agree move the Hogs to the army so they n protecxt themselves,
Ask the grunts on the ground if they want and F-16 or F-18 or an A-10 in the air when they are in deep sh-t. The A-10 is so revered by the Army they have one on display at Fort Hood. The grunts love the A-10. They know that slow, ugly piece of aluminum will drop some really bad stuff on the bad guys that are up close and personal.
Marine infantry does not trust anyone but Marine Air for close air support. The A-10 and its pilots are great, but USAF leadership hates CAS and is unreliable. The Army should take the A-10s if the Air Force doesn't want them.