US Air Force Retires A-10 Warthog After Five Decades of Service

## The End Of An Era In Tucson, Arizona The US Air Force has marked the end of an era with the retirement of the A-10 Warthog, a fighter aircraft that has been in service for over five decades. The last flight of the A-10 took place on July 29, 2026, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. The base, also known as the boneyard, has been the training ground for A-10 pilots since 1973. The retirement of the A-10 comes as the US Air Force is transitioning to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which will take up the mission of close air support and combat search and rescue. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that is designed to provide advanced capabilities in terms of stealth, speed, and maneuverability. ## The Air Force's Divest To Invest Plan The retirement of the A-10 is part of the US Air Force's "Divest to Invest" plan, which aims to modernize the air force and make it more effective in the face of emerging threats. The plan involves the retirement of older aircraft, such as the A-10, and the introduction of new, more advanced aircraft, such as the F-35. The A-10 has been a beloved aircraft among pilots and ground troops, known for its ruggedness and hard-hitting attack capability. However, it has also been involved in several friendly-fire incidents, which has led to its limitations being highlighted. The aircraft's lack of modern digital sensors to detect friend or foe has been cited as a major factor in these incidents. ## The Flying Tank That Just Won't Go Down Despite its limitations, the A-10 has proven itself to be a highly effective aircraft in combat. Its low-and-slow profile has allowed it to loiter over friendly troops and engage enemy targets with precision. The aircraft has also been praised for its ability to withstand heavy battle damage and still complete its mission. The A-10's performance in combat has been a major factor in its retention, despite the efforts of the US Air Force to retire it. The aircraft's ability to fly into contested airspace and emerge victorious has been a compelling case for its retention. ## What Comes Next For The A-10 And The Boneyard The retirement of the A-10 marks the beginning of a new era for the US Air Force. The introduction of the F-35 and other advanced aircraft will provide the air force with the capabilities it needs to meet emerging threats. The boneyard, which has been the training ground for A-10 pilots for over five decades, will now be home to the F-35 and other advanced aircraft. The US Air Force is also planning to introduce new capabilities, such as the OA-1K Sky Raider II Armed Overwatch turboprop planes, which will operate alongside the F-35 and other advanced aircraft. The introduction of these new capabilities will provide the air force with the flexibility and versatility it needs to meet a wide range of missions and tasks. The retirement of the A-10 is a significant milestone in the history of the US Air Force. The aircraft has been a beloved and highly effective aircraft, and its legacy will live on in the hearts of pilots and ground troops who have flown and fought alongside it.