# The A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog: Air Force: "We don't want it" Army: We'll take it **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483 "2014-03-24T23:01:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/81 "2014-09-24T13:23:12Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > [Last hurrah?](http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/23/Pentagon-To-Deploy-A-10-Fighter-Jets-Into-Battle-Against-Islamic-State/) so… what leaves dents like that on the nose of a fighter jet? ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/82 "2014-09-24T13:56:07Z")
Birds? Inattentive ground crew? Somebody stood up in a foxhole during a low-level run? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/83 "2014-09-24T21:46:50Z")
Churches, small rocks, bread… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/84 "2014-09-24T22:26:46Z")
a DUCK. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/85 "2014-09-25T03:17:44Z")
I suppose [a Duck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_J2F_Duck) would at least put a dent in an A-10 if they hit. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/86 "2014-09-25T07:45:06Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > [Last hurrah?](http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/09/23/Pentagon-To-Deploy-A-10-Fighter-Jets-Into-Battle-Against-Islamic-State/) Let’s hope not. The strikes against ISIS underline just how useful these warplanes can be. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/87 "2014-09-25T09:14:04Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > a DUCK. Why a duck? Why a no chicken? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_W](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Steve\_W](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_W)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/88 "2014-09-25T09:52:17Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > The whole [retiring-the-A10 proposal](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_Republic_A-10_Thunderbolt_II#Proposed_retirement) seems nuts to me, but what do I know. A UAV and any F-35s that happen to be around for low, low, level hunt-and-kill? The F-35 for close-in troop support? 😕 > > Anyway, is it possible that intra-service budget rivalry has been put aside for the good of the Armed Forces that the Army is talking about taking it over? Are pigs flying? Are their similar cases in US military tech history? I’ve always loved the A10. Did a lot of work on the beast back in the 70’s and 80’s. It’s an old plane but there’s no other plane like it. I guess we only need drones for troop support? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/89 "2014-09-25T10:31:47Z")
> [@Steve\_W](#): > > I guess we only need drones for troop support? I’ve certainly heard it argued that drones are inadequate for this task, due to an A-10 pilot flying low and slow being better at identifying targets and non-targets than an operator watching a video screen half a world away. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2014, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/90 "2014-09-25T11:57:33Z")
Since we’re comparing A-10’s and drones, I figured this was worth a link… > **[6 Myths About Drone Warfare You Probably Believe](https://www.cracked.com/personal-experiences-1248-6-myths-about-drone-warfare-you-probably-believe.html)** > > My name is Brandon Bryant, and I spent six years fighting America's wars via robot. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/91 "2014-10-19T01:56:44Z")
DOD “deploying 12 Hogs from the 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard to the Middle East to support combat operations in Syria and Iraq”–from [fightersweep](http://fightersweep.com/728/an-alternative-to-retiring-the-a-10-warthog/). Seems like a good site. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/92 "2014-10-19T02:46:56Z")
Cool. I believe the Arkansas Air Nation Guard got A-10s. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/93 "2014-10-19T04:17:32Z")
When I was at Hill AFB a few years ago, I stood next to an A-10 that was undergoing depaint/paint. What an awesome machine. A flying machine gun. 🆒 Would be a shame to see it go. ---
**Author:** ![dofe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ba0ec/32.png) [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/94 "2014-11-08T23:56:21Z")
[Republican Power Gain Could Save The A-10 Warthog’s Bacon](http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/republican-power-gain-could-save-the-a-10-warthogs-baco-1656264367) > [@](#): > > Just two days after the election, McCain has already come out swinging in defense of the 'Hog, stating yesterday that the A-10 is the best close-air support aircraft ever made and that there is “no doubt” Congress will prevent its retirement. McCain went on to bring up the recent and very tragic ‘blue on blue’ B-1B close air support incident and proclaimed that there is no true replacement for the A-10. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/95 "2014-11-09T15:13:26Z")
Definitely seems right. Plus McCain’s home state? That’s the kicker. That photo with the city building behind the plane certainly is unusual. Where/what is that? ---
**Author:** ![dofe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ba0ec/32.png) [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/96 "2014-11-09T15:49:04Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Definitely seems right. Plus McCain’s home state? That’s the kicker. > > That photo with the city building behind the plane certainly is unusual. Where/what is that? [Toront, Canada](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A-10_%22Warthog%22_%286118942664%29.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/97 "2014-12-14T15:32:41Z")
[A-10 gets a reprieve](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/14/congress-just-saved-the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-a.aspx) The 2015 Defense Authorization Bill will forbid the Air Force from retiring its A-10s for at least one year. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/98 "2014-12-14T17:16:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [A-10 gets a reprieve](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/14/congress-just-saved-the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-a.aspx) > > The 2015 Defense Authorization Bill will forbid the Air Force from retiring its A-10s for at least one year. When stalling for time, demand a readiness study. Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/99 "2014-12-15T11:31:21Z")
I think it comes down to this: 1. The AF says they don’t want the A-10 because the CAS mission isn’t sexy like Air to Air. 2. The Army says Okay, we’ll take them. And your funding for them. 3. The AF says On second thought, we think the A-10 is great and want to keep them. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483/100 "2014-12-15T12:58:52Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I think it comes down to this: > > 1. The AF says they don’t want the A-10 because the CAS mission isn’t sexy like Air to Air. > 2. The Army says Okay, we’ll take them. And your funding for them. > 3. The AF says On second thought, we think the A-10 is great and want to keep them. No, nothing at all like that has occurred. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-a-10-thunderbolt-warthog-air-force-we-dont-want-it-army-well-take-it/684483.md?page=6)