Reversal Of Planned Retirement Signals Shift In US Military Strategy
The US Air Force has announced that it will keep the A-10C Thunderbolt II in service through 2030, reversing a previously planned retirement timeline of 2029. The decision comes after the A-10 has seen unexpectedly heavy activity in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, and is seen as a move to preserve combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production. The US Air Force has already dismantled much of the A-10’s support ecosystem, but the airframes themselves have significant life remaining. The announcement was made by US Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink, with backing from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump, as reported by AeroTime.