What is the current status with ‘hawg retirement? I have heard various opinions such as they are re-winging all 281 aircraft (implies non of them are going to be retired). I’ve also heard that they’re planning on retiring about 40 or so aircraft, and several of those will be from guard units. Any concrete answers out there? Or is it a constant variable depending on politics and current day events? Fingers crossed they’ll keep all 281 🤞

They are removing ~44 aircraft from service. The rest have/are receiving a rewing to extend their lifespan. The aircraft removed are mostly AD because the guard has mostly lower hour jets. Some of the guard units are receiving F-35s/other aircraft and their A-10s are going to AD. If you get in the A-10 you will likely do a few ops assignments if you don’t try to transition, and then eventually transition to the F-35. If you desire to play the role of CAS/CSAR/FAC(A) then it is, by far, the best aircraft to go with.

Things are currently winding down in COIN, but the A-10 has been the most kinetic jet in the COIN fight, with the 354FS recently returning the most kinetic deployment (OFS 2019) since the early days of the Afghan conflict. The first time you are at a TIC, employing the gun within 20-50m of friendlies is a pretty rewarding experience. We were regularly winchestering the jet during Syria (a jet that has 11 hard points and carries more weapons than the whole formation of vipers).

On 8/14/2020 at 5:08 PM, Hawg15 said:

They are removing ~44 aircraft from service. The rest have/are receiving a rewing to extend their lifespan. The aircraft removed are mostly AD because the guard has mostly lower hour jets. Some of the guard units are receiving F-35s/other aircraft and their A-10s are going to AD. If you get in the A-10 you will likely do a few ops assignments if you don’t try to transition, and then eventually transition to the F-35. If you desire to play the role of CAS/CSAR/FAC(A) then it is, by far, the best aircraft to go with.

Things are currently winding down in COIN, but the A-10 has been the most kinetic jet in the COIN fight, with the 354FS recently returning the most kinetic deployment (OFS 2019) since the early days of the Afghan conflict. The first time you are at a TIC, employing the gun within 20-50m of friendlies is a pretty rewarding experience. We were regularly winchestering the jet during Syria (a jet that has 11 hard points and carries more weapons than the whole formation of vipers).

We grunts who fought the COIN fight down below appreciate the TIC service.