Davis-Monthan Base Says Goodbye to Its Last A-10 Warthog After Five Decades

After half a century of service, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona conducted the final flight of an A-10 Thunderbolt II on July 19, marking the end of the base’s historic close-air-support role that started with the first aircraft’s arrival in 1976. Chief Master Sgt. Dave Anderson Jr., senior enlisted leader of the 355th Operations Group, reflected on the unique combat mindset the Warthog embodied and urged its continuation across the force.

Commander Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer described the retirement as bittersweet, noting the removal of sunshades and the dwindling fleet. The United States Air Force framed the ceremony as both a celebration and a farewell to a platform synonymous with the 355th Wing’s mission. Although Davis-Monthan’s A-10s are gone, roughly 160 remain operational at nine other U.S. bases, with Congress requiring at least 100 to stay serviceable through 2030; the “BRRRRT Act,” sponsored by Reps.

Abe Hamadeh and Don Davis, seeks to increase that to 126. The aircraft continues to see action, recently supporting operations against Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.