Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter released the following statement after new reports that the Air Force is indefinitely freezing all plans to retire the A-10 Warthog.
“It appears the Air Force is finally realizing that the A-10 is the only aircraft of its kind that can effectively accomplish its mission of protecting our troops while remaining close to the battlefield for any additional support that may be needed by ground troops. I have known this all along and have made it a mission to ensure the Air Force reverses their flawed attempts to retire the platform. As the Air Force deploys the A-10 fleet from Moody Air Force Base to fight ISIS overseas, I applaud the announcement that they will indefinitely delay retirement. The safety of our troops and our nation depends on it.”
The A-10 provides Close Air Support and Combat Search-And-Rescue capability unmatched by any other aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. No other fixed-wing airframes are as proficient as the A-10 in operating in rugged environments, low visibility, and very low altitudes. The A-10s, operated by the 23rd Wing, have been providing critical close air support (CAS) for our ground troops since they first entered service in the 1970s. It is this unique ability to perform effective close air support that has garnered the A-10 with high accolades in recent theatres of conflict, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, A-10s are flying Close Air Support missions against ISIS advances.
Carter, who represents Moody Air Force Base in Congress, has been a leader in the fight to preserve the A-10. Carter testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee earlier this year to highlight the importance of the A-10 to our national security and request full funding for the fleet. Carter also supported critical legislation to keep the A-10 flying.
