A-10 Thunderbolt II: Why the Aging US Attack Plane Was Deployed in Iran

The United States Air Force has deployed A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to the Middle East to participate in Operation Epic Fury, an air campaign against Iran. The aircraft, commonly known as the Warthog, are currently being used to target Iranian fast-attack watercraft and mine-laying vessels in the Straits of Hormuz.

The deployment comes as the U.S. Increases its military presence in the region. As of April 1, 2026, 12 A-10s were reported en route to the Gulf to join 12 aircraft already stationed there, with the possibility of six additional aircraft supplementing the force.

Operational Role in the Straits of Hormuz

The A-10 is serving a specialized role in the current conflict, focusing on the southern flank of the operation. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated during a Pentagon press briefing on March 23, 2026, that the aircraft is hunting and killing fast-attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has highlighted the aircraft’s ability to loiter for several hours, remaining ready to execute missions as needed. A-10s operating from Al Asad Air Base in Iraq have been performing 10 sorties daily, totaling 900 sorties over a four-month period as of April 25.

Reversal of Retirement Plans

The current air campaign has provided a new operational justification for an aircraft the U.S. Air Force had intended to phase out. The service had planned to retire the remaining 162 A-10s by the end of fiscal year 2026 as part of a broader strategy to retire 340 aircraft to realign priorities and reduce costs.

This retirement plan included the cancellation of other programs, such as the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. However, the proposed drawdown sparked concerns among members of Congress regarding whether the Air Force possessed alternative platforms capable of fulfilling the A-10’s specialized close-air support (CAS) roles.

Last year, Congress paused the retirement of the aircraft. The most recent National Defense Authorization Act established a cap on the number of A-10s that can be scrapped until the Air Force provides a detailed retirement strategy.

Design and Technical Capabilities

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is unique as the only aircraft in history designed specifically around its primary weapon: the 30mm GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun, which is capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute.

The aircraft was developed during the Cold War to address the possibility of Soviet tanks overrunning the Fulda Gap. It was designed as a rugged, low-flying, tank-busting platform capable of surviving heavy combat environments. This design philosophy followed the lessons of the Vietnam War, where the military lost 266 A-1 Skyraiders and 300 AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships while providing close support to infantry.

Despite its effectiveness, the Air Force has expressed concerns that the A-10 may not survive on a modern battlefield due to the proliferation of advanced anti-aircraft missiles.

Strategic Implications

The return of the A-10 to active combat in the Middle East has led some experts to view the deployment as a wake-up call regarding the necessity of dedicated ground-attack aircraft. Dan Grazier, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of its national-security reform program, suggested that these operations demonstrate why the aircraft should remain in service.

The A-10’s current utility in the war with Iran, specifically in targeting maritime threats in the Straits of Hormuz, contrasts with the Air Force’s preference for high-technology solutions over the rugged practicality of the Warthog.