Ayotte To Air Force: F-35’s Mechanics Shortage ‘False Choice’

Ayotte To Air Force: F-35’s Mechanics Shortage ‘False Choice’
Ayotte To Air Force: F-35’s Mechanics Shortage ‘False Choice’

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, leader of the congressional push to keep the A-10 flying, is calling out the Air Force. The service claims it won’t have enough mechanics to keep both F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and A-10 Warthogs flying safely and thus may miss the F-35’s politically important Initial Operating Capability milestone for the F-35A because Congress won’t retire the A-10.…

Why Congress May Let Air Force Retire The A-10

Why Congress May Let Air Force Retire The A-10
Why Congress May Let Air Force Retire The A-10

CAPITOL HILL: Aside from Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the reaction from Capitol Hill to the Air Force plan for retiring the ugly and beloved A-10 has been relatively muted and may remain so. Why would Congress, beloved for going slightly nuts whenever the military tries to retire a ship, aircraft squadron, or anything else that means jobs…

A-10: Close Air Support Wonder Weapon Or Boneyard Bound?

A-10: Close Air Support Wonder Weapon Or Boneyard Bound?
A-10: Close Air Support Wonder Weapon Or Boneyard Bound?

WASHINGTON: The A-10 Warthog is ugly, tough, lethal, and fairly flexible. Its famous 30mm gun can destroy tanks or other armored vehicles with remarkable efficiency, not to mention enemy troops. Its titanium tub of a cockpit protects the plane’s pilot from most ground fire. Its pilots are trained to fly low and slow and to…