US lawmakers push to keep A-10 'Warthog' flying with new bill

A bipartisan effort in Congress aims to keep the U.S. Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flying until 2033. The "Bolstering Recognition, Resurgence, Retention, and Remembrance of the Thunderbolt Act," or BRRRRT Act, was introduced by Rep. Abe Hamadeh and co-led by Rep. Don Davis.

The legislation addresses the ongoing debate about the A-10's future, particularly its unique capabilities in close air support and combat search and rescue, missions for which newer aircraft may not be adequate substitutes. The A-10 played a critical role in supporting the rescue of an F-15 crew downed over Iran in April and has been a key asset in U.S. Central Command's operations in the Middle East.

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When DUDE44 went down, there were A-10 pilots there at the beginning when they picked up the pilot and then A-10s led the second mission.

Retired Lt. Col. Joel Bier, a former A-10 instructor pilot with over 2,500 flight hours, argues for retaining at least 126 A-10s. He stresses the necessity of preserving the associated training, maintenance infrastructure, and institutional knowledge that underpin the aircraft's specialized missions. Bier, who served 21 years in the Air Force, noted that efforts to retire the A-10 fleet have been a recurring theme throughout his career.

The Air Force had initially planned to retire the A-10 fleet by 2026 but revised its plan in April to extend operations through 2030. Current projections include an active-duty squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia and a reserve squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Bier highlighted the A-10's critical role in the Operation Epic Fury rescue mission, where A-10 pilots were instrumental in recovering a downed pilot.

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The A-10 is a unique combination of man and machine.