A-10-flying congresswoman fights back after discovering Air Force plans to kill three A-10 squadrons

Arizona Congresswoman and retired USAF A-10 pilot Colonel Martha McSally (Ret). (McSally campaign)

Three out of nine US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons are expected to fold- and a former “Hog” driver in high places is fighting back.

First female combat fighter pilot, retired Colonel and Republican Congresswoman from Arizona Martha McSally reportedly caught wind of the USAF’s quiet plan to kill one-third of the existing A-10 Squadrons during a June 7 House Armed Services Committee hearing, when USAF R&D Chief Lieutenant General Arnold Bunch said that the USAF “is committed to maintaining a minimum of six A-10 combat squadrons flying and contributing to the fight through 2030 [with] additional A-10 force structure is contingent on future budget levels and force structure requirements.”

Catching what very few people seemed to notice, the retired A-10 veteran attempted to call out the general before the hearing came to a close.

“It’s the first time you’ve publicly said that you are going to go down to six squadrons,” McSally said, trying to get Bunch to elaborate on the overall fate of 283 A-10s currently in combat service. “I’d really like to know what those planning assumptions are of the six squadrons.”

Sadly, the hearing came to an end before her questions could be answered- not that she wouldn’t get what she wanted. Not one to let a target escape, McSally is now expecting a written response from the US Air Force.

According to the Washington Examiner, the USAF declined to answer any statements when prodded about the possibility of quietly trying to kill thin the A-10 herd.

Never a big fan of one of America’s most beloved aircraft (at least by everyone else, anyway) the USAF has made repeated attempts to rid their inventory of the iconic attack aircraft, which was supposed to be replaced by the F-35 Lightning II- until it was revealed that it couldn’t do the job as well as the single seat, subsonic attack plane.

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Author

  • Andy Wolf

    Andy Wolf is an Appalachian native who spent much of his youth and young adulthood overseas in search of combat, riches, and adventure- accruing decades of experience in military, corporate, first responder, journalistic and advisory roles. He resides in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains with his K9 companion, Kiki.

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