The fighter fleet keeps trying to nibble away at the real effective CAS [AZ Daily Independent] The Air Force plans to retire 42 A-10 aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson next year, according to a state lawmaker, a move that would cut the base's fleet of the storied "Warthogs" in half.
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Tucson, identified the proposed cuts in letters to the Air Force and to House committees that said cutting the planes would harm military readiness and "bring serious harm to the economy in the community I represent."
Kirkpatrick, who said she was not briefed on the plan, called the move "inexcusable" in a statement Monday.
"I find it incredibly alarming that the Air Force would put out plans without properly briefing Congress nor transparency about the replacement process and timelines," her statement said. "The A-10 Warthog has a mission to protect our men and women in battle and I am committed to fighting in Congress to protect its mission."
An Air Force spokesman did not comment directly on Kirkpatrick's claim Monday, only repeating earlier statements that the service was committed to a $161 million upgrade of remaining A-10s, "our most effective close-air support platform."
A spokesperson for Davis-Monthan said he had not heard about A-10s at the base being affected, and he said he could not comment.
The Air Force unveiled its plan to reduce the A-10 fleet in the fiscal 2021 budget proposal that was released in February. That document called for the service to retire 44 "of the oldest and least ready" A-10s as the Air Force shifts to newer-generation aircraft.