# Close Air Support

The Warthog’s Long Goodbye: Why the U.S. Air Force Is Extending the A-10 Through 2030

The U.S. Air Force has pushed back the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II from 2026 to 2030, maintaining the legendary close-air-support jet for an additional four years. The decision highlights the ongoing difficulty of replacing the A-10's unique capabilities with newer, more expensive multi-role platforms.