Save the Warthogs!

"Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole" (Dukie)
11/20/2013 at 14:02 • Filed to: Save the A-10, Planelopnik, CSAR

The US Government is in a money crunch right now. There hasn't been a federal budget since 2009, and the recent shutdown showed that there needs to be cuts. One of the proposed cuts, is the A-10. I'll preface this by saying I am biased against cutting the A-10. I've turned wrenches on them, and have friends who have been directly supported by them. I know it's capabilities and how much of an asset it is on the battlefield.

The A-10 was designed as a "Tank Killer" but has evolved into a capable CAS (Close Air Support) asset, FAC (Forward Air Control) asset, and even a CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue) asset (CSAR is also at risk, more on that later). The GAU-8/A Avenger is the W16, quad turbo'd cannon of the aircraft world, it's big, loud, and packs a helluva punch. Even though the airframe is old (the last A-10 [82-665] was delivered in 1984), the recent "C-model" upgrades brings the A-10 on par with the 4th Gen fighters as far as JDAM & LGB technology.

Even with upgrade costs the A-10 is cheap to operate compared to other airframes. It's got a small footprint with only three Active Duty bases in the world (Davis-Monthan, Moody & Osan) and a handful of Guard/Reserve bases. The people who benefit from it (those magnificent ground pounding bastards in the Army, Marine Corps and the guys we do not speak of) love it like a sammich and a beer in a desert oasis. But for some reason, Congress doesn't love the A-10. At this point, there isn't an airframe with the capabilities of the A-10, and nothing "in the pipe". If Congress kills the A-10, it's not just killing the airframe, but the people on the ground who depend on it and it's mission when it get's ugly out there. There's a reason one of the A-10's motto's is "Go Ugly, Early!"

So what can you do? Write your !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and ask them to support Senator Kelly Ayotte's (R-NH) & Senator Blunt's (R-MO) amendment to the FY 14 NDAA to keep the A-10 around until 2021. And while you're at it, make sure you voice your opinion about CSAR's divesting as well. Losing Combat Rescue would also be a huge hit to our military. Those guys and gals live the motto "So Others May Live" and put themselves in danger in order to save wounded in combat, as well as in peacetime.

Edit: I've added a link above where you can get the contact information for your respective Congressman/Senator.

DISCUSSION (26)

Gamecat235 > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:07

Thanks for the extra information about the specific bill. I'll be letter writing tonight!

André - Volvo4Life > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:09

Always been a fan of the A10. It just looks cool. I hope they do keep it.

Saracen > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:09

How about they cut the F-35? Billions and billions down the hole for nothing.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Saracen
11/20/2013 at 14:11

The F-35 isn't going to get cut for a few reasons so complaining about its shortcomings isn't going to help the A-10s case right now.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:13

I've gotten to see these guys up close. I was previously stationed at Mountain Home AFB in southern Idaho and there was a Air Guard base in Boise just 45 miles away. These guys would very frequently come down and say "Hi" to our F-15's. One time I went out on a comm job for one of the fighter squadrons and the TSgt (Technical Sergeant, E-6) that I was doing the work for looked at me and said "Hey. We have a couple A-10's in the hanger if you want to see them?".

"Hell yea!" I replied. Who would say no to that anyways? I didn't get to sit in it but I got to go up to it and as I was reaching my hand up to touch it, TSgt, very quickly and sternly, said "No."

Either way, I was underneath the wing of one and it has definitely got to be one of my favorite airframes.

Saracen > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:14

I'm just saying, it makes more sense to cut an expensive, problematic, unproven platform than to cut a cheap, reliable, proven (and highly valued) asset.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
11/20/2013 at 14:16

They are temperamental beasts. Touching one without first letting it sniff you could be bad for your health. The TSgt was wise to warn you.

Spaceball-Two > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:21

I truly hope they save them. Troops need CAS that gets down in the mud and weeds. My brother was in the first Gulf War. On several occasions an A-10 saved his ass.

Spaceball-Two > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:21

I truly hope they save them. Troops need CAS that gets down in the mud and weeds. My brother was in the first Gulf War. On several occasions an A-10 saved his ass.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:24

I'm totally uniformed on this situation, so take what I say with a few grains of salt. It seems to me like the higher ups think this role could be fulfilled cheaper by drones, which is a shame. I love the warthog.

For Sweden > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:25

The A-10 is so dirty-dirt cheap to operate, I think it will fly for as long as the B-52.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Saracen
11/20/2013 at 14:29

Too far in development to be cut now. Possibly delayed, but definitely not cut.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:35

Ha ha I can only imagine. I wouldn't want that GAU-8 to spin up on me! The sound that it makes it just incredible. If you're the enemy, however, you'll be dead before you hear it!

whaden > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:42

Kinja'd!!!

whaden > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:43

Kinja'd!!!

It's a "Porch-uh" > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:49

Depleted uranium rounds from a nose-mounted gattling gun. All US planes should be A-10s.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Gamecat235
11/20/2013 at 14:49

If you could post a copy of that letter so that I may also send it to my congress people, that would be great.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 14:51

Also, I really want an A10.

Kinja'd!!!

Just for a track toy.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 15:00

Is there a form letter we can use?

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
11/20/2013 at 15:05

I don't have one, and I haven't found one online.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 15:20

It'll just get pulled out of retirement once they realize the mistake they made. IIRC they've tried to kill it off multiple times, but being the tough bastard it is, it won't go peacefully.

Eric the RC guy > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
11/20/2013 at 16:45

I've seen them a few times, but I'll never forget the first time I heard one fly. Just raw power, I loved it and still do to this day.

Clutchman83 > Saracen
11/23/2013 at 16:38

So flush billions and billions down the toilet for nothing... We're already invested, it's way too late to back out now.

MDP310 > It's a "Porch-uh"
11/23/2013 at 16:43

AIR TO AIR A-10'S!!

Shoop > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/23/2013 at 18:34

But to develop those drones is going to cost far more than fueling maintaing and reloading the A-10s

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Shoop
11/23/2013 at 19:28

You aren't thinking like a government official. In their minds that isn't the priority.