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 / Modified apr 18, 2018 4:55 p.m.

Air Force: Number of A-10s to Stay Flying Is Up In the Air

The Air Force says it may not keep the entire fighter fleet active.
by Christopher Conover

A-10 from Davis-Monthan hero A-10s from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base taxi at March Air Reserve Base, California. February 1, 2016
U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Steven A. Ortiz

Air Force officials previously promised to keep the A-10 fighter plane flying until at least 2025, but the question now is, "How many?"

During April 12 testimony in front of a U.S. House Committee, Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris said that in the coming years the Air Force plans to cut the number of A-10 squadrons from the current nine to six.

"We are not confident that we are flying all of the A-10s that we currently possess through 2025 with our plan," said Harris.

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, a former A-10 pilot, said that is unacceptable.

McSally said the nine current units are stretched and taking away three units will not help.

The last A-10 was built in the mid-1980s. Most are in line for new wings, a program funded in the Defense Department budget.

The A-10 is the primary plane flown at Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

MORE: Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Government, Military, News
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