Hill Air Force Base is home to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (ALC), which maintained the US Air Force’s Warthog fleet for decades.

All good things come to an end, and for Hill Air Force Base (AFB), Utah, that means saying goodbye to the famed Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft that earned the unofficial nickname “Warthog” due to its rugged, utilitarian appearance. Initially not considered an “attractive” aircraft, the Warthog moniker has become a term of endearment for a tough—at times seemingly unstoppable—close air support (CAS) aircraft.

This month marks the official end of the Thunderbolt II program at Hill AFB, as the Ogden Air Logistics Complex prepares to see its final A-10 head to retirement.

“The departure of the A-10 depot maintenance mission marks the end of an era for the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which will deactivate following completion of its last A‑10,” the 75th Air Base Wing explained, further noting it will close out a mission that has been carried on for nearly three decades at the Utah facility.

“This mission has been a point of pride for the entire complex,” said Brig. Gen. Hall Sebren, Ogden Air Logistics Complex (ALC) commander. “The A‑10 came to Hill because of the skill and dedication of our workforce, and it stayed here because that expertise only grew stronger with time. Our maintainers extended the life of this aircraft again and again, and they did it with a level of pride and professionalism that has become part of Hill’s identity.”

The A-10 Warthog Is the US Air Force’s Flying Tank

• Year Introduced: 1979
• Number Built: 713 (~160 still in service)
• Length: 53 ft 4 in (16.16 m)
• Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.42 m)
• Wingspan: 57 ft 6 in (17.42 m)
• Weight (MTOW): 51,000 lbs (22,950 kg)
• Engines: Two (2) General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
• Top Speed: 420 mph (Mach 0.56)
• Range: 800 miles (695 nautical miles)
• Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,636 m)
• Loadout: One 30mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations
• Aircrew: 1

Production of the A-10 Thunderbolt II began in 1972, and the aircraft officially entered service with the United States Air Force in 1977. The A-10’s short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability permitted it to operate from airstrips close to front lines. The aircraft could also be serviced at forward base areas with limited facilities due to its simple design.

The A-10 was first deployed during Operation Urgent Fury, the 1983 American invasion of Grenada, where it provided air cover for the United States Marine Corps but did not fire its weapons. It wasn’t until the Gulf War in 1991 that the aircraft first took part in combat operations. A-10s successfully shot down two Iraqi helicopters with the GAU-8 and took part in numerous sorties against Iraqi Republican Guard ground targets.

Supporters of the A-10 note that it offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The Thunderbolt II can loiter near battle areas for extended periods, perform austere landings, and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. The supporters also argue that no other aircraft, notably the F-35 Lightning II, can fill the Thunderbolt II’s role.

Ogden ALC Will Miss the A-10

Hill AFB’s Ogden ALC first performed depot-level maintenance of the A-10 in 1998, and it has since become the US Air Force’s “primary location for structural repair, wing replacements, and major overhauls.  The 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group manages A‑10 depot maintenance and has overseen thousands of A‑10 inductions over the years.”

The facility was once staffed by “hundreds of maintainers, sheet‑metal technicians, engineers, and logisticians.” The team carried out the major work on the aircraft, including structural refurbishment and re-winging, to ensure the aging Thunderbolts would be ready to strike for years to come. 

The team tackled everything from complex structural refurbishment to a major re‑winging effort that kept the fleet viable for many additional years.

“We have had maintainers who have worked on the A‑10 for decades,” said Col. Ryan Nash, commander of the 309th AMXG. “They know every inch of this aircraft. They’ve trained generations of maintainers, and they’ve poured their hearts into keeping the Warthog in the fight. Watching the last jet roll out is emotional for all of us.” 

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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