A-10 legacy comes to an end at Davis-Monthan AFB

The Air Force’s A-10 presence at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ended Friday as the service inactivated the last units stationed at the base.

The 355th Operations Group, 357th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron and 355th Training Squadron were inactivated during a ceremony honoring their service. Airmen, families, retired A-10 pilots, civic leaders and community members attended, according to a service news release.

“For nearly 50 years, the A-10 Thunderbolt has occupied a sacred place in American airpower. It was never just an airplane. It was a promise,” said Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, commander of the 355th Wing.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, 355th Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer, 355th Operations Group and Training Squadron commander, furl the 355th TRS guidon during the A-10 Unit Inactivation Ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2026. (Samantha Melecio/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, 355th Wing commander, and Maj. Cody Hall, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron commander, furl the 357th FGS guidon at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2026. (Samantha Melecio/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, 355th Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer, 355th Operations Group and Training Squadron commander, furl the 355th OG guidon during the A-10 Unit Inactivation Ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2026. (Samantha Melecio/U.S. Air Force)

The inactivation ceremony included the casing of each unit’s guidon by Cabrera and its final commander. A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the Idaho Air National Guard and Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center also flew during the ceremony.

“This has been an incredible job and opportunity, but it’s also been heavy,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Rutter, commander of the 357th Fighter Squadron. “I think about my time as a wingman; my job was to learn. As an instructor pilot, it was to teach. And now my charge [as a commander] is to leave.”

Historical documents and memorabilia from the units will be sent to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the release said.

Airmen assigned to the 355th Operations Group, 357th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Generation Squadron and 355th Training Squadron pose for a group photo with a static display of an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft during a unit inactivation ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2026. (Jasmyne Bridgers-Matos/U.S. Air Force)

Moody Air Force Base in Georgia is the only Air Force base with active-duty A-10s. The base supports two squadrons. Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri operates a reserve A-10 squadron.

The twin-engine jet best known by its nickname, “Warthog,” has supported U.S. troops in combat from Desert Storm to Epic Fury.

The Air Force received 713 planes between 1975 and 1984, when production ended. The service has since sought to reduce or eliminate the plane, saying continued funding siphoned money from modernization programs such as the F-35A Lightning II.

In October 2025, the Air Force said it still had 162 in its inventory but was planning to cut the number to 54.

Bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House in July that would direct the Air Force to maintain at least 126 A-10s through 2033. The bill is currently under consideration before the House Armed Forces Committee.

Stars and Stripes reporter Gary Warner contributed to this report.