“When the A-10s came, the enemy scattered; other aircraft didn’t scare them much”

The House Armed Services Committee took the first step toward preserving the A-10 aircraft fleet, voting for a new defense budget that rejects the Air Force’s plans to retire the plane.
The voice vote came after an emotional debate, with former military members on the panel arguing for and against keeping the A-10 “Warthog” flying.

According to The Hill, Rep. Rich Nugent (R-Fla.) said one of his sons, who served in Afghanistan, said when the A-10s came, “the enemy scattered.” Other aircraft didn’t scare them as much.

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) added, “It is the all-purpose sledgehammer of the skies.” 
Former Marine and Iraq veteran Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) led the argument for retiring the A-10, arguing the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as dealing with roadside bombs — the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
“There are far more that will die (from roadside bombs than) from scenarios where only A-10s can provide close air support,” said Moulton. 

Congresswoman Candice Miller, who lives less than a mile from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, which currently has A-10s deployed in the fight against ISIS, praised the committee vote.
 
“Just last week, Major Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, announced that members of the 127th Wing based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, who operate the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, were deployed into theater in the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to help in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria,” said the Harrison Township Republican in a statement.
“This deployment, along with the recent deployment of A-10s from Indiana and Arizona, is a testament to the effectiveness of the close air support aircraft in combat. Attempts to divest the fleet now, without an adequate replacement, are shortsighted and certain to endanger the troops that rely on them most. 

“The House Armed Services Committee’s passage of the FY16 authorization is an encouraging win for those of us fighting to stop the Air Force from divesting the fleet.  However, it wasn’t without opposition and attempts by other members of the committee to divest the fleet, including one amendment that would have allowed the Air Force to retire approximately half of the A-10s currently in operation. 
“This victory is only one step in what has been a long, hard-fought battle.  Next, this authorization will go before the full House and then to the Senate, where I hope that those of us who have advocated for the A-10s will prevail once again.” 

 
 

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