The A-10 Thunderbolt II, or Warthog for that matter, is more than a mere military aircraft. Since the 1970s, it has gained the admiration of pilots and troops alike for its unyielding construction and its notorious 30mm cannon that could knock out tanks in no time. Credited with being rugged, reliable, and a lifesaver in combat, the Warthog has been the choice for close air support missions. But now, after decades and plenty of controversy, the Air Force is acting quickly to retire the venerable plane. This isn’t merely about keeping one plane on the ground — it’s indicative of how the military is transforming the way it exercises air power.
The retirement is happening quicker than many expected. The Air Force plans to retire all 162 of its remaining A-10s by the end of fiscal 2026, which is two years ahead of the original schedule, at a cost of around $57 million. In 2024 alone, nearly 40 A-10s were sent to the aircraft “boneyard” in Arizona — more than double the number retired the previous year. By late 2024, half the fleet was already in storage, most of them no longer flyable.
Congress had been stubbornly opposed to phasing out the Warthog, but that opposition has faded in recent years. The 2025 defense bill reduced the minimum number of A-10s that need to stay in service from 135 to 96, which is a sign of priorities shifting. The 2026 budget by the Air Force also envisions phasing out hundreds of aircraft across the board, and the A-10 phaseout has gotten the most notice.
So why retire a popular plane like the A-10? Short answer: War is changing. The A-10 excels in low-level, lower-intensity wars, but Air Force officials say it would have trouble in the next war, when advanced air defenses will make the skies much more deadly. The military is shifting its attention to stealthy, multi-role fighter jets and unmanned systems that can survive those harsher environments.
That being said, the plan hasn’t been controversy-free. The F-35 Lightning II is the Warthog’s replacement, at least in theory, but few believe it can replace it entirely. Detractors argue that the F-35 is lighter on weapons, lacks the A-10’s mythic cannon, and isn’t designed for the close, low-altitude sorties that made the Warthog legendary.
Tests have indicated the two planes are fairly equally matched in close air support, and F-35 pilots don’t receive the same specialized training in this capability, which troubles some experts about losing that specialized skill set.
The retirement is already being felt by Air Force units. The 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan, which had housed many of the A-10s, has closed and retired all 36 of its aircraft. In Maryland, the Air National Guard’s 175th Fighter Wing is converting from A-10 flying to cyber warfare — a move that has angered local leaders and veterans who worry it will pull off experienced pilots and damage community ties.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base itself is changing. Formerly shorthand for the Warthog, it’s now preparing for special operations and newer airframes such as the OA-1K Sky Warden and MC-130J Commando II. The base will also see the EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft. Pilots and aviators are transitioning to platforms such as the F-35, with commanders emphasizing that planes come and go, but good people never do.
Even with the retirement plans, A-10s remain in combat. In early 2025, the 124th Fighter Wing sent a few Warthogs and hundreds of personnel to the Middle East to support missions against ISIS and close air support for Iraq and Syria. The planes have also been used in Yemen strikes, showing that they still have a use, even though their days are numbered.
Looking ahead, the priorities of the Air Force are clear. The 2026 budget slashes F-35 purchases from 74 to 47 planes, while investing billions in 21 new F-15EX Eagle IIs and the creation of the next-gen F-47 air superiority fighter. There are also major investments in stealth bombers, advanced missile systems, and drone tech. The future will be about being adaptable, stealthy, and staying ahead with the most advanced tech.
Bidding adieu to the A-10 is more than sending an airplane into retirement — it’s ending a special chapter of air combat history. The Warthog’s reputation for ruggedness, firepower, and close air support won’t soon be forgotten, despite the Air Force looking towards the future with whatever comes next.