For almost 50 years, the A-10 Thunderbolt II – the “Warthog,” in short – has been more than merely another military plane. It has been a “live” legend since its inception in the 1970s, gaining the praise of pilots as well as infantrymen. Made tough and loaded with its characteristic 30 mm GAU-8 cannon, the A-10 had been known to rip through armored vehicles and rescue lives when soldiers were in dire need of help.
Dependable, hard, and practically indestructible, it became the best machine for close air support. Nevertheless, the Air Force decided to retire the jet after a lot of discussions, and in the end, the long debate was settled in favor of the jet’s retirement. This is not just about the retirement of an aircraft, but the branch of the armed forces is reshaping the whole manner in which they influence the air.
The retirement is proceeding much quickly than most people expected. The plan is to have all A-10s, 162 in number, removed by the end of the financial year 2026, which is two years earlier than initially planned. The cost of the move is $57 million. Almost 40 Warthogs were sent to the “boneyard” in Arizona in 2024, which was more than twice the number retired in 2023. Half of the fleet had already been taken out of service by the end of that year, and a large number of them were no longer flying.
For a long time, Congress resisted the idea of parting with the A-10. Lawmakers considered it an asset too valuable to lose. But the opposition has become less stiff. The defense bill of 2025 abolished the requirement for 135 A-10s to remain operational, raising the minimum number from 96. That was a sign that the priorities had changed. The budget of the Air Force for 2026 announced extensive cuts to different aircraft fleets; however, the departure of the Warthog has received the most coverage.
Why retire such a cherished aircraft? To make a long story short, the battlefield is shifting. The A-10 was the most effective in low-level, low-threat situations, but the Air Force leaders claim that in a future war scenario with sophisticated air defenses, the Warthog wouldn’t be able to last. As a result, the service is transitioning to stealthy, multi-role fighters and unmanned systems that are more compatible with the modern high-intensity conflicts.
Despite this, there is still some opposition. F-35 Lightning II is supposedly the actual replacement, at least on paper. However, the opponents argue that the F-35 is less heavily armed than the A-10, it doesn’t have the 30mm cannon, and it is not designed for the kind of low-altitude attack runs that made the Warthog famous.
The tests show that both aircraft are almost equal in close air support, but the problem is that F-35 pilots are not trained for the same specialized mission. That means the unique skills that the A-10 pilots have may disappear coeval with the retirement of the A-10.
Retirement has already made midair changes. After the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base retired all 36 of its aircraft, it closed down; thus, the base has no A-10s stationed anymore. The Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Fighter Wing is becoming a cyber warfare unit, and this transition from Warthogs has angered the local leaders and veterans who consider it a double loss of tradition and community ties.
Even the Warthog’s home, Davis-Monthan, is not what it used to be. The base is adjusting and will be able to support special operations aircraft such as the OA-1K Sky Warden and MC-130J Commando II, as well as the EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare platform. Pilots are moving on to new jobs, and the change of the airframes notwithstanding, the commanders make it clear that the people who fly and maintain the planes are the real force.
Nevertheless, the Air Force has not given up on the A-10. They are actually still using the Warthog in combat while the retirements are being made at full speed. First, in 2025, the 124th Fighter Wing deployed several A-10s along with several personnel to the Middle East, where they assisted in the fight against ISIS and provided close air support in both Iraq and Syria. The aircraft have even gone on to participate in Yemen strikes, which means they are still useful despite being at the end of their days.
However, the Air Force is looking forward to more modern technology. The 2026 budget reduces the number of F-35s on order and reallocates the funds to 21 brand-new F-15EX Eagle IIs and the development of the next-generation F-47 air superiority fighter. The Air Force is spending billions of dollars more on stealth bombers, long-range missiles, and drone systems that are at the forefront of technology. The emphasis is on staying nimble, stealthy, and technologically advanced vis-à-vis potential enemies.
Bid adieu to the A-10 is not only about getting rid of a piece of hardware but about shutting one of the most outstanding chapters of modern aerial combat. The Warthog’s indestructible nature, terrible cannon, and being regarded as a savior on the battlefield will be a thing of talk long after the last one is at rest. While the Air Force continues to look forward to what is coming, the legend of the A-10 will always be there, deeply engraved in the annals of aviation history.