Five A-10 squadrons to fall victim to Air Force budget ax
As part of the Defense Department’s efforts to trim close to $500 billion in spending over the next decade, defense officials said Friday that the service intends to cut five A-10 tactical squadrons and two other squadrons as well, the Air Force Times reported.
The Thunderbolt squadrons to be stood down encompass one active-duty, one Reserve and three National Guard units. The remaining two squadrons disappearing are a Guard F-16 tactical unit and an F-15 training squadron, the Times reported.
The newspaper quoted Adm. James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as telling Military Times reporters that while the A-10 is very good at providing close-air support, the Air Force needs aircraft that can do more than one mission.
The Air Force also stands to lose about 10,000 airmen and more than 125 cargo planes.
Read more about the planned aircraft cuts from the Air Force Times
