The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the Warthog, has been more than just another aircraft in the Air Force fleet. Since the 1970s, it has achieved a legendary status as tough and reliable, largely due to its rugged design and the unmistakable 30mm cannon that can demolish tanks with deadly accuracy. Pilots and troops have always admired it as a lifesaver on the battlefield, earning it the ultimate close air support aircraft. Now, after decades of use and back-and-forth debates over its future, the Air Force is moving decisively to retire this well-liked airplane—a preview of the broader transformation in the way air power is wielded.
The retirement rate has taken many by surprise. The Air Force intends to retire all 162 still-operating A-10s by the end of fiscal 2026, two years ahead of schedule, for a cost estimate of $57 million. Almost 40 A-10s alone were retired to the Arizona-based “boneyard” in 2024—more than double the number of aircraft that were retired the previous year. By late 2024, half the fleet was already in storage, most of which were no longer capable of flight.
Congress long opposed phasing out the Warthog, but opposition has eased in recent years. The 2025 defense budget reduced the minimum number of A-10s that must stay on duty to 96 from 135, a reflection of shifting priorities. At the same time, the 2026 Air Force budget anticipates phasing out hundreds of aircraft in total, with the phasing out of the A-10 receiving the most scrutiny.
Why retire an aircraft so well-loved? The answer lies in how war is changing. The A-10 is invincible in low-level, low-intensity conflict, but Air Force strategists argue that it would have a ferocious time fighting in future wars, where advanced air defenses make the airspace much more treacherous. Priority is shifting toward stealth, multi-mission fighter planes and unmanned systems that can survive hostile skies.
But the transition has not been trouble-free. The F-35 Lightning II is, in theory, the A-10’s replacement, but no one believes it will actually replace it. Critics claim that the F-35 will have fewer weapons, lack the Warthog’s elephant-sized cannon, and is not built for the low-altitude, close-in sorties that made the A-10 a legend.
Comparative testing suggests both aircraft can perform similarly in close air support, but F-35 pilots are not receiving the specialized training that rendered A-10 pilots specialists—a consideration that disturbs some observers about losing this critical skill set.
The retirement is already being felt across units in the Air Force. The 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan, which had maintained many A-10s for years, has retired all 36 aircraft and closed down. In Maryland, the Air National Guard’s 175th Fighter Wing is shifting away from flying A-10s to cyber operations, a change that has angered local officials and veterans concerned about losing veteran pilots and the local ties focused on the Warthog.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base itself is also evolving. No longer as much about the Warthog, it is preparing for special ops planes like OA-1K Sky Warden and MC-130J Commando II, and the EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare plane. Pilots are transitioning to the F-35, with commanders taking care to point out that aircraft will come and go, but the value of talented operators does not.
Even while the fleet is being phased out, A-10s continue to operate. In February of 2025, the 124th Fighter Wing sent Warthogs and personnel to the Middle East to help against ISIS and provide close air support in Iraq and Syria. The planes have also seen action in Yemen, proving that, even on the eve of retirement, these aircraft are fully capable in war situations.
Directions for the future are certain for the Air Force. The 2026 budget reduces F-35 purchases from 74 to 47 planes and heavily invests in 21 new F-15EX Eagle IIs and the follow-on F-47 air superiority fighter. Heavy investment is also being placed in stealth bombers, next-generation missiles, and unmanned capabilities. The future holds adaptability, stealth, and a technology edge.
Retiring the A-10 is not just retiring a plane—it’s closing a wonderful chapter in air combat history. The Warthog legend of ruggedness, firepower, and unmatched close air support won’t go away, even as the Air Force opens the door to the next generation of fighter aircraft.