Defense Cuts Include A-10 Warthog

As Military.com reported yesterday,

The venerable A-10 tank killer aircraft is taking a hit of its own as part of the Defense Department’s decision to eliminate six of the Air Force’s tactical air squadrons and one training squadron…. Three of the five A-10 squadrons going away will be Guard units. Air Force leaders plan to eliminate one Reserve and one active duty squadron.

It wasn’t pretty, but that’s what made the A-10 Thunderbolt II all the more endearing. That and the 30mm Avenger Gatling cannon that fired uranium-depleted shells that effortlessly turned tanks into confetti. Not to mention the rocket pods, JDAMs, cluster bombs, incendiary bombs, Maverick missiles, and sidewinder missiles, to name a few.