The final graduation ceremony for A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft pilots took place in the United States.

At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the 357th Fighter Squadron held its final graduation of young pilot officers to pilot the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. The ceremony marked the completion of the only dedicated training facility in the United States for the attack aircraft, known as the "Warthog."

This event occurred at a time when the A-10 was actively engaged in combat operations as part of Operation Epic Fury, the American military campaign against Iran. In March and April 2026, A-10C attack aircraft played a significant role on the southern flank of the conflict, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Air Force General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "Warthogs are currently engaged on the southern flank, hunting for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast attack craft in the Strait of Hormuz." The attack aircraft used their 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon to destroy Iranian fast attack craft and strike coastal targets.

The Pentagon even increased the A-10's presence in the Middle East, sending an additional 18 aircraft to the twelve already operating there.

The graduation of the last group of A-10 pilots at Davis-Monthan coincided with events in the Middle East, raising the question of whether it would be advisable to discontinue this type of flight training program. While a year ago the US was confident that the Warthogs would be retired, the war against Iran has demonstrated the US military's interest in these undemanding aircraft.

Commander of the 357th Squadron of the USAF, Lieutenant Colonel Rutter:

We're celebrating not just a graduation, but the end of an era. While our last graduates complete their training, the remaining A-10Cs continue to fly missions in the U.S. Central Command area.

Thus, the question of completely decommissioning the aircraft remains open—combat experience in March-April 2026 demonstrated that the Warthog remains indispensable for certain modern conflict scenarios. Accordingly, it's possible that the US will also recruit new members for the attack aircraft department. aviation.

Comments

[silverwolf88]

Well, what can I say... they shouldn't have done that)))... They're using them now, and even pulled out several A10 machines from storage for surgery... and then it's hard to restore the training...
And there is no replacement for them (drones are great, of course) for some theaters of military operations and tasks of supporting ground operations

[Idle_piston]

I agree. If we fight like real people, destroying the entire satellite constellation providing communications and the internet, then both attack aircraft and tanks will take on a different role.

[ABC-schutze]

The inscription there is quite interesting. It's a well-known name of one of the oldest American companies, a leader and pioneer in the development and mass production of operational amplifiers, comparators, and other integrated circuits for a wide range of specialized applications...

[rocket757]

Only old men are going into battle... but there are nuances that will not be easy to overcome...

[Alex777]

Quote: rocket757

but there are nuances that will not be easy to overcome...

The question is not simple. The United States needs real pilots
planes or are computer pilots enough for them?

[rocket757]

And yet, is the trend of switching to unmanned, robotic technology wherever possible a reality today or tomorrow, or will the process drag on for some time?

[Alex777]

Quote: rocket757

Is this a reality today or tomorrow or will the process drag on for some time???

As you can see, this is a reality in the States. But they, too, have their doubts.
The last US aircraft to be directly flown by a pilot: the A-10.
Of course, no one is seriously considering any "Tucano".
As far as I understand, this issue is not on our agenda.

[snow mountain]

The final graduation ceremony for A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft pilots took place in the United States.

Were they told that MANPADS existed?

[Foaly]

For every cunning ass, there's a catch. These guys were clearly planning to quietly and peacefully pursue a career at headquarters—they'd written off their planes, so they wouldn't have to fly them, much less fight. And then this mess—with a potentially extremely high slope...

[commbatant]

Quote: Foalish

The guys were clearly planning to build a peaceful and orderly career at headquarters - after all, they had written off the planes, and they wouldn't have to fly them, much less fight in them.

They would have been sent for retraining. The A-10 was supposed to be phased out gradually until 2029 (the phaseout may now be extended), so this year's graduates will have time to fly it (briefly) as captains.
These attack aircraft would be useful to Taiwan for fighting enemy naval targets and armored vehicles; the US could easily sell them to him, the plane is old.