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Posted on 04/08/2026 2:09:24 AM PDT by Libloather
The A-10 Warthog has a new maritime role in targeting boats in the war in Iran that could extend the life of the aircraft, which the U.S. Air Force had been attempting to retire for years.
Despite the Air Force trying to phase out the A-10, Congress has resisted its efforts and blocked attempts to reduce the number of these aircraft.
A-10s have been used in the U.S. military campaign against Iran, as the Pentagon sees a need for an aircraft that can loiter and deliver accurate fire against small boats and coastal threats.
During a Pentagon briefing last month, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said that A-10 aircraft were "in the fight" and operating across the southern flank of the conflict, including targeting Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We continue to hunt and kill mine storage facilities and naval ammunition depots. We continue to hunt and kill afloat assets, including more than 120 vessels and 44 mine layers, and the pressure will continue," Caine said in the March 19 briefing.
"The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz. In addition, AH-64 Apaches have joined the fight on the southern flank, and they continue to work on the southern side. And that includes some of our allies who are using Apaches to handle one-way attack drones," he continued.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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The Air Farce has been bound and determined to get rid of the Warthog despite it being loved by the Army and Marines. Unfortunately they got Trump on board with it as he gave a speech at Selfridge ANG Base in Michigan where the F-35 will replace the A-10s.
The A-10 is an old airframe. But it is an utter beast. Nothing like it for CAS. Have a friend who served in Iraq. He said nothing like the sound of that cannon going off. Instant morale boost for the guys on the ground - and an oh #### moment for the bad guys. Also they are TOUGH.
Brrrrrrrr. Bad guys #### their pants. Right before they become pink mist.
The Air Farce needs to get their heads out of their butts. The F-35 is amazing. But it cannot do what the Warthogs do.
The A-10 needs to be retired. The loiter time is about 2 hours. Reapers can do 24 hours at 1/4 the cost per flight hour. During the rescue, an A-10 was almost shot down, had to ditch in the Gulf. Nice thing about the Reaper is never having to worry about retrieving the pilot from the drink or some godforsaken mountain range. Reapers were credited with zapping any Iranian who came too close, within 2 miles - presumably portable mortar range. Supposedly 64 fighters were involved over 2 days, but at 90 minutes a pop, that’s just 2 fighters overhead at any time. It was the Reapers doing the heavy lifting. Fighters were in anti-SAM mode and maybe also on the prowl for enemy fighters held in reserve that might materialize.
I’ve been hearing the supersonic ‘sound of freedom’ at night here. It’s hard to tell whether it’s F-35s or the F-15EX. Wherever they’ve been going, it sounds like they’re getting there in a hurry. The last of the F-16 interceptors left in 1994 and the tactical F-16s left in 2009. What I’m hearing now could be transient fighters on their way to Grayling or the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, or who knows where!
There are a lot of a-10s in storage with low hours on the airframe.
They’ve tried to retire the A-10 for decades..never made sense when you have an aircraft like that which has been proven over and over to be an amazing aircraft. It gets the job done whenever it’s tasked.
Good points. I respectfully disagree based on comments from my “boots on the ground” friends. But again you make cogent points.
Well said.
The A10 being used in that role reminds me of the modified B25 gunships used during WWII to attack shipping. They actually mounted a 75mm cannon in the nose of that critter…
How about this—Give it to the Army and Marines.
End the debate.
Air Force thinks it needs the shiny, new fast expensive status symbols.
Give it to those who love it.
Air Force would rather tank the Hog than allow anyone to use it.
“U.S. Air Force had been attempting to retire for years.”
Don’t you dare retire it you sons of bitches! Might as well go after C 130’s and B 52’s too...”old airframes”. Behind this push are ambition and greed by military brass and defense industry low lifes.
A 10 descended in purpose from the eponymous P 47 THUNDERBOLT! Superlative in ground support role.
We are in complete agreement.
So what if the Air Force doesn’t want the A-10? I am sure the Army / Marines would be happy to move them to their side of the Defense Dept. For the price of one F-35 the Army can build multiple A-10s and be happy to do so. The A-10 is far better suited to surface-level support than the Air Force’s hundred-million dollar unit.
Again up thread: my “boots on the ground” friends *love* the sound of an A-10 providing CAS (close air support). Brrrrr. That 20mm cannon makes a mess of the bad guys.
The A-10 is not so much of a hard to kill plane with an auto cannon. It’s a hard to kill auto cannon with wings.
Well said.
Actually think it is now a 30mm auto cannon. My bad.
Reapers carry a limited supply of missiles. The a-10 has that nearly inexhaustible and cheap lead to sling. Perfect for hosting a party of pulverization.
A lot of people don’t understand the military doctrine involved. F22s, F15s, F18s and F35s etc. clear the skies. Then the workhorses - B52s and A10s - go to work. Helicopters too. They make a fine mess of things.
Of course most Freepers get this.
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