A-10 Warthog stays in service to 2030 as the USAF keeps its beloved close-air-support workhorse in rotation. Battle-tested: since 1977.
On April 3, 2026, Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over southwestern Iran, marking the first US combat aircraft loss in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. One crew member was rescued after a frantic search-and-rescue operation, while the second remained missing. Iran called on civilians to capture the missing pilot, offering a $60,000 reward. A second US A-10 attack plane was also downed, with its pilot rescued. The incident escalates tensions as President Trump renews threats against Iran's infrastructure and demands the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
US forces have conducted a complex rescue operation in Iran, retrieving two downed F-15E pilots after their aircraft was shot down. The rescue involved dozens of aircraft, deception tactics, and took place amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Both pilots are reported to be safe.
The U.S. Air Force has announced it will extend the operational life of the A-10 Thunderbolt II until 2030. The decision aims to preserve combat power amid ongoing aircraft production efforts, despite longstanding debates over the aircraft's age and future replacement options. The A-10 has been active in Middle East operations against Iran-backed groups.