The US Air Force has graduated its last class of new A-10 pilots

After years of noise about wanting to retire the famous Fairchild Republic A-10 ground attack fighter, the US Air Force now says it has graduated the last class of new pilots assigned to fly the "Warthog".But just weeks later, the Pentagon announced that the A-10's. retirement is being pushed back to at least 2030. It's just the latest example of the titanium-enclosed jet beating the odds on bureaucratic survival.Has the end really come for the Warthog or can the plane famous for its battlefield survivability once again stave off the end from Washington?Americas defence reporter Ryan Finnerty speaks with the commander of the 357th Fighter Squadron that trains new A-10 pilots and retired air force Colonel Kim "KC" Campbell, whose combat service in the Warthog over Iraq has made her arguably the most famous A-10 pilot.Show Notes:Kim Campbell profile in Flight International, 2023:https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2023/06/rough-air-over-baghdad-a-10-pilot-kim-campbell-flies-into-aviation-history/US Air Force begins first A-10 retirements:https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2023/04/usaf-begins-long-sought-a-10-retirements/The A-10 returns to combat in Iran:https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2026/03/a-10-returns-to-combat-hunting-iranian-vessels-in-strait-of-hormuz/A-10 "Sandy" mission over Iran:https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/04/iran-rescue-mission-featured-155-aircraft-refuelling-over-enemy-territory-and-one-lost-a-10/The armed crop duster that could replace the A-10:https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2025/02/us-air-force-dubs-new-oa-1k-armed-crop-duster-skyraider-ii-ahead-of-first-delivery/