Key Points and Summary – The A-10 Warthog, an iconic close-air-support aircraft, is being retired despite its legendary combat record.
-From destroying over 900 Iraqi tanks in Desert Storm to saving troops in the mountains of Afghanistan, the A-10’s durability and firepower made it a battlefield favorite.
A-10 Warthog NSJ Photos. Image taken on 7/20/2025.
-However, the slow, low-flying jet is ill-suited for a modern conflict against a peer adversary with advanced air defenses like China or Russia.
-While its famous 30mm cannon is iconic, most of its work was done with missiles and bombs, and newer, more survivable platforms like the F-35 are now taking over its role.
The A-10 Warthog Must Be Retired
The A-10 Warthog (or A-10 Thunderbolt) is one of the most iconic modern aircraft in the world. Instantly recognizable by the sound of its insanely powerful Gatling gun, the A-10 was designed to strike fear in the hearts of enemy armored divisions.
The aircraft took part in numerous operations in the Gulf War, the GWOT, and other operations in the Middle East. However, after its glorious service life, the Air Force decided to retire it.
Despite its service, the A-10 is no longer well-suited to address contemporary threats, such as those posed by China or Russia.
The A-10’s First Outing
The A-10’s first major combat deployment came during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. It proved to be a game-changer in the skies over Iraq.
A fleet of 132 A-10s flew thousands of sorties, destroying over 900 tanks, 2,000 military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces.
The aircraft also played a role in hunting Scud missile sites and even shot down Iraqi helicopters. Pilots like Lt. Col. John Marks and Capt. Eric Solomonson became legends after destroying 23 tanks in a single day.
A-10 Warthog National Security Journal Photo Essay Picture.
The A-10’s ability to fly low and slow, absorb damage, and deliver precise firepower made it a favorite among ground troops and commanders alike.
In 1999, the A-10 was deployed during Operation Allied Force, NATO’s intervention in Kosovo. The aircraft conducted CAS missions and search-and-rescue operations, demonstrating its versatility and reliability in rugged terrain.
Its ability to loiter and operate in adverse conditions made it an ideal platform for supporting ground forces and locating downed pilots.
Post 9/11 Service
The post-9/11 era saw the A-10 deployed extensively in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. In the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, the A-10’s durability and precision were invaluable.
During Operation Anaconda in 2002, A-10s filled a critical gap when Apache helicopters and AC-130 gunships proved vulnerable to enemy fire.
The Warthog’s ability to deliver accurate strikes in daylight without tactical air controllers made it a battlefield favorite. Its presence was often the difference between life and death for troops pinned down by enemy fire.
The A-10 returned to Iraq in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Once again, it proved its worth against Saddam Hussein’s forces. One of the most famous incidents occurred on April 7, 2003, when Capt. Kim “KC” Campbell’s A-10 was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Baghdad.
A-10 Warthog Cannon NSJ Photo. Taken at U.S. Air Force Museum on 7/19/2025.
Despite losing hydraulics and sustaining massive damage, she manually flew the aircraft back to base, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Stories like these cemented the A-10’s reputation as a tough, reliable, and life-saving aircraft.
In the 2010s, the A-10 played a key role in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Its ability to deliver precision strikes in permissive environments made it a reliable tool for supporting coalition forces and targeting militant positions.
The aircraft’s loiter time, firepower, and survivability continued to make it a favorite among troops on the ground.
The A-10 Gets Grounded
Despite its legendary reputation, the Air Force ultimately decided to retire the A-10, despite public outcry. While the A-10 performed exceptionally against insurgent groups and terrorist cells, the Warthog would not fare nearly as well in a near-peer conflict.
Modern conflicts increasingly emphasize long-range precision strikes, stealth, and networked operations.
The A-10, designed for low-speed, low-altitude CAS in relatively permissive environments, is ill-suited for contested airspace against advanced air defenses like those fielded by China or Russia.
Budget constraints also play a significant role. While the A-10 is relatively inexpensive to operate compared to other jets, maintaining aging platforms is costly.
A-10 Warthog National Security Journal Photo.
Furthermore, despite the aircrafts ability to absorb damage, the A-10 is difficult to repair, and many aircraft that sustain damage rarely fly again.
This makes it less than ideal for sustained high-intensity conflicts. The Air Force needs to reallocate funds to next-generation systems like the B-21 Raider, and the F-47.
These platforms are designed to operate in high-threat environments and are better suited to future conflicts.
Replaced by Stealth Fighters
The Air Force also argued that newer aircraft like the F-35A Lightning II can perform CAS missions using advanced sensors and precision weapons from standoff distances.
Critics point out that the F-35 lacks the A-10’s ruggedness and firepower but the Air Force believes future CAS will rely more on precision weapons and survivability than brute force. While the F-35 cannot carry as many munitions, it carry everything that the A-10 could with the added bonus of stealth. Whether this is a correct assumption is a topic for another time.
Some argue that the autocannon-centric CAS role was outdated long ago. The A-10 garnered its reputation because of its famous cannon but in practice, the GAU-8 was barely used in combat operations.
In the overwhelming majority of combat missions, the Warthog relied on its missiles and bombs with the cannon only being used in extremely niche situations. In modern conflicts, aircraft like the A-10 are vulnerable unless operating in permissive environments.
As America’s adversaries advance their capabilities, the Warthog grows increasingly out of place in modern warfare.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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