A-10's at risk of early retirement?

"Gamecat235" (Gamecat235) 08/29/2013 at 13:03 • Filed to: planelopnik, a-10, nooooooooooooooo

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Say it ain't so!

The following local (Tucson, AZ) news story highlights the proposed budget cuts and how the A-10 could be retired early because of Pentagon budget cuts.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Three A-10 "Warthog" squadrons are stationed at DM. Two are for training and one is operational and ready for deployment anywhere in the world in 24 hours notice.

The high-powered air to ground fighter jets are often tasked with saving American lives in harms way.

But now fiscal fights, not enemy firepower, are threatening to ground these planes for good.

The A-10s were scheduled to remain in the Air Force inventory until 2028, but they are at risk to retire much sooner because of proposed Pentagon budget cuts.

I really hope that this doesn't come to pass, A-10's flying overhead has been a constant for my entire life, and speaking with the airmen/servicemen here who fly and service them has always been a part of the local culture.

(lede !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from the USAF Photo Archive)

J. Walter Weatherman > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:05

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It will be a sad, sad day when we don't have A10s flying over us in Tucson.

Brian, The Life of > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:05

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I love the A-10 but, to be fair, what're the chances we'll get into another war involving an enemy with a lot of tanks?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:05

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Not the Warthog! I love the Warthog!

Gamecat235 > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:06

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But... but... but... Guys? We need to start a fund to send tanks to needy third world countries. (sarcasm)

Victorious Secret > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:07

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the Russians.

It is always the Russians.

Victorious Secret > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:07

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:empirestrikesbacknooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.gif:

HammerheadFistpunch > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:08

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the a10 is the best close in support aircraft ever made, not just a tank buster. This takes out troops, light vehicle, improvised armor, dug in combatants...anything where you need lots of firepower in near proximity to friendlies. Cheaper, safer and more effective than misses it would be insane to retire this thing. It would be like retiring the attack helicopter.

Brian, The Life of > Victorious Secret 08/29/2013 at 13:10

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Didn't you hear? We fight dirty now.

Victorious Secret > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:11

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I know :(

But there is something truly MERICA FUCK YEA about a gun that has wings.

desertdog5051 > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:15

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Very sad. I don't see many fighters, C130's around here anymore and a handful of Ospreys from time to time. Used to see them daily.
Hey, where is Kartchner Cave in relation to Tucson? Will be meeting a Canuck friend who wants to check it out in a week or so.

Gamecat235 > Victorious Secret 08/29/2013 at 13:15

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There really really is...

Gamecat235 > desertdog5051 08/29/2013 at 13:17

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Karchner is about 50 miles Southeast of Tucson, you'll be about 35 miles out from Tucson when you turn off from I-10 (give or take, I'm going off memory from driving on school field trips).

It's really cool.

Brian Tschiegg > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:24

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I think we can all agree that we love the A-10, so let's save it! Everyone start yelling at you representative...NOW!

OtherBarry > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:31

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So we are saddeled with the JSF for an enemy that doesnt exist anymore and the close air support aircraft that is useful is getting canned? Nice going DOD. Could you pull your head out for once? Next thing you know they are going to retire the C130 gunship.

JoeDapper > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:34

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Works good against buildings, vehicles, people..occassionally other aircraft - if it has to, better if they are still on the ground, dont worry about the aplication, worry about losing a powerful tool and a much loved (by those that fly them, and those that rely on them) work horse.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:45

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They've tried to do this more times than I can count, and they always get pulled back into service. They're just too damn useful.

GooseTheThrottle > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:49

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I was stationed at DM. The A10 is the best air frame in the Air Force. I hope they don't kill it. The US doesn't have many CAS left.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 13:53

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It's not just tanks. Close Air Support, the bread and butter of the A-10 community, is what's at stake. When I posted the "Save the A-10" post a few weeks ago, I game a pretty detailed idea of why the A-10 wins any CAS fight between aircraft.

Frank Grimes > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 13:54

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This is like the mascot plane of oppo! It cannot be retired.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Brian Tschiegg 08/29/2013 at 13:55

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https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/save-…

Brian Tschiegg > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 08/29/2013 at 13:57

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I'm glad this exists. I've been yelling in the general direction of Marco Rubio, but have yet to get a response.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > JoeDapper 08/29/2013 at 14:00

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2 kills on Helicopters (both gun kills) during Desert Storm.
Multiple A2A "kills" during exercises on "pointy nose" aircraft like the F-15 & F-16.

Brian, The Life of > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 08/29/2013 at 14:03

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Well, I'm sure the gubmint has a replacement in mind. I mean, it's not like we ever abandon mission-critical platforms without having something to replace it, right?

Oh wait ...

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Gamecat235 08/29/2013 at 15:48

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I love the A-10, but it is about time to put them to pasture.

I mean they stopped producing them nearly 30 years ago. PRODUCING.

They are the B-52 of ground-support aviation. There will probably be nothing like them again, but damn they sure did their job while they were here.

Bakkster, touring car driver > Brian, The Life of 08/29/2013 at 22:17

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The proposed replacement is the JSF... :(