I agree with those observations completely. Unfortunately that is not a choice which is presently available to the U.S. Air force now or in the conceivable near future. Note how the F-22 Raptor programme aircraft numbers were cut down to the point where they are too few in numbers to maintain a credible force in two war theaters suffering no combat losses. After suffering any significant battle losses, their few remaining numbers will be nearly useless to many theater commands.
I do not want to see the A-10 retired at all. I also do not want to see the F-16 retired by the squadrons until such time as they are replaced with a far better aircraft than the hapless F-35. In the interim I want the A-10 and the F-16 to remain fully funded for combat operations. But, if Congress refuses to agree, I can understand why the U.S. Air Force considers the retirement of the A-10 to be the lesser of two great evils despite all of the obvious disadvantages in doing so. So, don’t blame the Air Force. blame the Congress for forcing the Air Force to make such an impossible choice.