Also Read: Scientists develop smart paint that reflects 97% of sunlight, and heatwave cities may get a cheaper weapon against AC demand<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThat does not mean the Warthog has won its long battle with retirement. Air Force officials still argue that the A-10 is too vulnerable for a high-end war against a heavily defended adversary, especially one with modern air defenses. In practical terms, the extension buys time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service has said it will keep three A-10 squadrons flying, with one through 2029 and two others into 2030. That gives the Air Force a narrow window to train pilots, adjust tactics, and make sure the rescue mission does not fall into a gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why the Warthog mattered<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The A-10 is not just another old aircraft with a loyal fan base. The Air Force\u2019s own fact sheet describes it as the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support, with strong survivability, low-speed maneuverability, long loiter time, and the ability to operate near front lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That matters in combat search and rescue because the aircraft may need to stay nearby while rescue helicopters, drones, tankers, and ground teams work together. It is not a clean mission from a distance. It can mean circling, watching, communicating, and, if needed, fighting close to the survivor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The A-10\u2019s official roles also include airborne forward air<\/a> control and combat search and rescue. Its design gives pilots a wide view from the cockpit, armor protection, and backup flight systems that can keep the aircraft flying after damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Sandy mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the rescue world, the A-10 is often tied to the \u201cSandy\u201d role. The name goes back to Vietnam-era A-1 Skyraiders that led combat search and rescue packages, guiding rescue forces and suppressing threats around downed airmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the recent Iran conflict, A-10s reportedly supported the rescue of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle crew. Business Insider reported that the Warthogs flew in their Sandy roles, engaging threats at low altitude while rescue forces worked to retrieve the aircrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described that kind of role in blunt terms, saying a Sandy aircraft\u2019s job is to get to the survivor and put itself between that person and the enemy. It is a simple idea, but it takes training, judgment, and a pilot willing to stay in a very dangerous pocket of airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Congress wants answers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on May 20, 2026, Air Force leaders were pressed about whether the F-35, F-15, and other aircraft can really take over the A-10\u2019s rescue support duties. The hearing focused on the fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of the Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia noted that A-10 pilots are specifically trained for combat search and rescue and asked whether F-35 and other pilots would get the same kind of training. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach answered, \u201cWe\u2019ll have to.\u201d Then he added, \u201cIt\u2019s our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/techy\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/usaf-a-10-warthog-combat-search-and-rescue-replacement-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
As the Air Force prepares to retire its A-10 fleet by 2030, service leaders are pivoting combat search and rescue training to multirole fighters like the F-35.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat answer was direct, but it did not end the debate. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin asked whether any current aircraft could match the Warthog. Wilsbach said \u201cmatch\u201d was probably \u201cin the eye of the beholder,\u201d while adding that other aircraft can perform close air support and support combat rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The F-35 problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The F-35<\/a> brings stealth, advanced sensors, and the ability to work inside heavily defended airspace. Those are valuable tools in a future fight. On the other hand, the A-10\u2019s strength has always been its ability to fly low, stay around, and support troops or rescue teams with a very specific kind of presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat is why lawmakers are uneasy. The issue is not whether the F-35 is more modern. It clearly is. The issue is whether a multirole stealth fighter can absorb a mission that was part of the A-10\u2019s daily identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nAlso Read: The Pentagon wants to turn drones into mass \u201cammunition,\u201d crank out 340,000 units in two years, and scale toward a fleet of 1 million disposable aircraft, but what happens when quantity matters more than the model?<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAir Force leaders say they will make combat search and rescue a core mission for the aircraft that replace the A-10. Wilsbach told lawmakers that it would be unacceptable to have a gap if someone is down behind enemy lines, saying, \u201cYou have to go get them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fuel, readiness, and the hidden cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is also a quieter part of this story that often gets less attention. Keeping aircraft flying is not only about pilots and weapons. It also means fuel, maintenance<\/a>, spare parts, training hours, and the environmental footprint of military aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Department of Defense has said it is working to decrease operational energy use while also improving climate resilience and supporting innovation. Air Force operational energy officials have also argued that efficiency can reduce costs, lower fuel logistics risks, and improve readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nAlso Read: The C-2 Greyhound stops in 2 seconds on an aircraft carrier, carrying the engines and parts that keep Navy jets flying<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThat is why this transition matters beyond one beloved aircraft. Every hour flown to train new rescue tactics has a cost. But every hour not flown could leave crews less prepared when a pilot is waiting on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Air Force\u2019s fiscal year 2027 request leans heavily into modernization<\/a>, including more flying hours, maintenance, munitions, infrastructure, and advanced training. Officials said the budget proposal includes $267.7 billion for the Air Force and $71.1 billion for the Space Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor the A-10, the path is now clearer but not simple. It will stay long enough to help bridge the transition, but the service still plans to hand its missions to newer, more survivable aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, the Warthog is not just being replaced by another jet. It is being replaced by a whole new way of doing a dangerous rescue job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official statement was published on X<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The U.S. Air Force is slowing down the retirement of the A-10 Warthog, but the famous attack jet is still … <\/p>\n
The Sandy mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In the rescue world, the A-10 is often tied to the \u201cSandy\u201d role. The name goes back to Vietnam-era A-1 Skyraiders that led combat search and rescue packages, guiding rescue forces and suppressing threats around downed airmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the recent Iran conflict, A-10s reportedly supported the rescue of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle crew. Business Insider reported that the Warthogs flew in their Sandy roles, engaging threats at low altitude while rescue forces worked to retrieve the aircrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described that kind of role in blunt terms, saying a Sandy aircraft\u2019s job is to get to the survivor and put itself between that person and the enemy. It is a simple idea, but it takes training, judgment, and a pilot willing to stay in a very dangerous pocket of airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Congress wants answers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on May 20, 2026, Air Force leaders were pressed about whether the F-35, F-15, and other aircraft can really take over the A-10\u2019s rescue support duties. The hearing focused on the fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of the Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia noted that A-10 pilots are specifically trained for combat search and rescue and asked whether F-35 and other pilots would get the same kind of training. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach answered, \u201cWe\u2019ll have to.\u201d Then he added, \u201cIt\u2019s our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That answer was direct, but it did not end the debate. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin asked whether any current aircraft could match the Warthog. Wilsbach said \u201cmatch\u201d was probably \u201cin the eye of the beholder,\u201d while adding that other aircraft can perform close air support and support combat rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The F-35<\/a> brings stealth, advanced sensors, and the ability to work inside heavily defended airspace. Those are valuable tools in a future fight. On the other hand, the A-10\u2019s strength has always been its ability to fly low, stay around, and support troops or rescue teams with a very specific kind of presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why lawmakers are uneasy. The issue is not whether the F-35 is more modern. It clearly is. The issue is whether a multirole stealth fighter can absorb a mission that was part of the A-10\u2019s daily identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air Force leaders say they will make combat search and rescue a core mission for the aircraft that replace the A-10. Wilsbach told lawmakers that it would be unacceptable to have a gap if someone is down behind enemy lines, saying, \u201cYou have to go get them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is also a quieter part of this story that often gets less attention. Keeping aircraft flying is not only about pilots and weapons. It also means fuel, maintenance<\/a>, spare parts, training hours, and the environmental footprint of military aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Department of Defense has said it is working to decrease operational energy use while also improving climate resilience and supporting innovation. Air Force operational energy officials have also argued that efficiency can reduce costs, lower fuel logistics risks, and improve readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why this transition matters beyond one beloved aircraft. Every hour flown to train new rescue tactics has a cost. But every hour not flown could leave crews less prepared when a pilot is waiting on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Air Force\u2019s fiscal year 2027 request leans heavily into modernization<\/a>, including more flying hours, maintenance, munitions, infrastructure, and advanced training. Officials said the budget proposal includes $267.7 billion for the Air Force and $71.1 billion for the Space Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the A-10, the path is now clearer but not simple. It will stay long enough to help bridge the transition, but the service still plans to hand its missions to newer, more survivable aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, the Warthog is not just being replaced by another jet. It is being replaced by a whole new way of doing a dangerous rescue job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The official statement was published on X<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The U.S. Air Force is slowing down the retirement of the A-10 Warthog, but the famous attack jet is still … <\/p>\nThe F-35 problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Also Read: The Pentagon wants to turn drones into mass \u201cammunition,\u201d crank out 340,000 units in two years, and scale toward a fleet of 1 million disposable aircraft, but what happens when quantity matters more than the model?<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Fuel, readiness, and the hidden cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Also Read: The C-2 Greyhound stops in 2 seconds on an aircraft carrier, carrying the engines and parts that keep Navy jets flying<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What happens next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n