It boggles the mind that anyone would even consider retiring the A-10. Incredible firepower and I don’t buy the narrative it’s ‘too slow’. BS.
Similarly, I think the Navy made (or is making) a mistake by getting rid of the Prowler. Dated to be sure but it still does the job it was made to do.
They can always keep the platform and upgrade everything. I’ve heard nothing but good about that plane.
Why cant they make a stealth version?
Your comments make the all too common mistake of assuming the retirement of the A-10 is supposed to have something to do with its suitability for the Close Air Support (CAS) mission it was designed for, when the retirement of the A-10 has nothing to do with its suitability. The A-10 is being retired because the Congress is not appropriating enough money to pay for the continued combat air support maintenance necessary to continue operating the inventory of A-10 aircraft. The Air Force has been given orders to bring the F-35 aircraft into operational readiness, and the only way they currently fund the maintenance personnel and operations is to retire a choice of the A-10 fleet, the B-1 strategic bomber fleet, much of the other little remaining strategic bomber fleet, a major part of the already overtasked air refueling aircraft, or the overworked transport aircraft. The A-10 is being chosen from those alternatives because the other alternatives are even more damaging than the damage caused by the loss of the A-10 aircraft. If you want to keep the A-10, you must convince Congress to fund the necessary pilots, combat air support maintenance, and other costs for the new F-35 squadrons without defunding the A-10, B-1, B-52, and other existing squadrons. It has nothing to do with the value and worth of the A-10. It has everything to do with not having enough money to keep the A-10 and the other squadrons at the same time.
The Michigan Air National Guard has the A-10. Retiring the A-10 would put Selfridge ANGB on a fast track to closure.
I think part of the motivation to retire the A-10 is that it can lead to the closure of entire bases and that’s what Obama likes. Not only that, the entire eastern boundary of Selfridge Air National Guard Base is situated on the western shore of beautiful Lake St. Clair- Great waterfront location for new condo developments, marinas, restaurants...There’s already an 18-hole golf course with clubhouse bar and restaurant on the property, so why not turn it into a 21st Century waterfront maritime community complete with airstrip and aviation facilities for anything but military aviation.
Developers would probably make some gesture in recognition of the historical significance of the property and its place in History but only in ways that would make the idea appealing to consumers.