An A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft completed its final descent from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, to Davis Monthan, Arizona, on April 5.
This retirement is noteworthy as it marks the first time an A-10 aircraft from Moody Air Force Base has reached retirement age since the 23rd Fighter Group and their A-10s were relocated from Pope Field, North Carolina, to Moody in 2007.
Following 43 years of service and 14,125 flight hours, the A-10C is set to find its new home desert of Arizona, where it will be received by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Squadron. The squadron will undertake the task of preserving as much of the aircraft as possible while saving any parts that can be used as replacements in other A-10s.
The retirement at Moody marks the start of a process that would see all of the Air Force’s A-10s retired by 2029 according to the service’s Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown.
Due to the airframe’s low flying attitude and slow flight, Air Force officials have argued for years it would not be able to survive a fight with an opponent with modern air defenses. This is why the service proposed the retirement of the entire A-10 fleet in 2015, 2016 and 2017, in addition to proposing partial drawdowns of the fleet in the 2021 and 2022 budget proposals.
However, lawmakers have consistently disagreed with the service, stating that the air force had no adequate replacement solution for close-air support role. In the 2023 budget, Congress finally approved the retirement of the aircraft, allowing the service to invest in more modern platforms.
While tail number 149 has bid its farewell, the 74th Fighter Squadron is set to receive an A-10 aircraft from Fort Wayne Air National Guard Base in Indiana. This transition is part of the guard base’s shift towards fifth-generation aircraft.
Moody Air Force Base’s A-10 fleet is maintained and kept mission-ready by its two combat-ready squadrons, including the 74th Fighter Squadron. With 35 pilots, the squadron is ready to execute the close air support mission through the A-10, which is known for its long loiter time, precise weapons delivery, field capability, and ability to endure challenging environments.
Captain Kevin Domingue, an A-10 pilot for the 74th Fighter Squadron, shared his overall experience of flying the twin-engine jet aircraft, which he described as simple yet effective and highly survivable.
“It’s sad to see this aircraft reach the end of its service to the United States. Thousands of service members have flown or worked on this particular jet; this will be the last time it takes flight and carries their cumulative effort. I am honored to be a part of this aircrafts history like so many before me.”
“The A-10’s remain the most effective close air support platform in the world today even after 45 years,” Domingue said. “As long as the Air Force allows the aircraft to fly and be properly maintained, this community is ready to provide that expertise anywhere in the world against any adversary.”
