The U.S. Air Force will be able to retire 21 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft

The United States Air Force will finally get a chance to get rid of some of its legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.

Here's What We Know

During the Iran and Afghanistan wars, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, equipped with a 30mm cannon, successfully flew many sorties. However, the U.S. Air Force has insisted for several years that the attack aircraft should be decommissioned.

This is due to the fact that the plane flies low and slow, so it will not be able to demonstrate its effectiveness, as it was in Iraq or Afghanistan, against countries with a good air defense system. Particularly in the case of a military conflict with China.

The U.S. Air Force has tried several times to reduce the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet and divert funds earmarked for modernizing the aircraft to other needs. However, the U.S. Congress has consistently opposed such a decision. For example, it recently rejected a request to decommission 42 attack aircraft.

But now the ice has turned. In the 2023 budget request, the service is asking to cut 21 aircraft that are stationed at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Base in Indiana. They will be replaced by a squadron of 21 fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.

Source: Defense News

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