The War In Iran Is Saving The A-10 Thunderbolt II, At Least For Now

BusinessAerospace & DefenseThe War In Iran Is Saving The A-10 Thunderbolt II, At Least For NowByPeter Suciu,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Suciu covers trends in the world of aerospace and defense.Follow AuthorApr 23, 2026, 04:41pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.The A-10 Thunderbolt II has been in service for more than five decades and could keep flying for a few more yearsU.S. Air Force 162nd WingThe United States Air Force has attempted to retire the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air-support aircraft for decades, dating back to 1984. Service officials have repeatedly argued that A-10, also known as the "Warthog" by those who fly and maintain it, was unsuitable for high-end conflicts against near-peer adversaries, notably China and Russia.In addition, the Air Force wanted to retire the aging aircraft to pave the way for more modern platforms, notably the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.However, critics of the plan to sunset the airframe countered that no newer aircraft can fill the close air support role as effectively as the A-10.They could have a point.The rugged attack aircraft first entered service in the early 1970s and was employed with success in air support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq during the Global War on Terror. The Air Force has increasingly deployed the A-10 to hotspots in the Middle East, where it has proven highly capable and effective. In the ongoing Operation Epic Fury air campaign against Iran, A-10 Warthogs have been actively deployed to target and destroy Iranian fast-attack boats and other small armed vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. A-10s were also involved in the search and rescue mission of the crew of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle earlier this month.As a result of the effectiveness of the Thunderbolt II, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink confirmed this wee...