U.S. Air Force ends A-10 Thunderbolt II operations at Davis‑Monthan

On July 29, 2026 the U.S. Air Force conducted the final A‑10C Thunderbolt II flight from Davis‑Monthan Air Force Base in southern Arizona, closing nearly five decades of the aircraft’s presence at the installation. Airmen and local civic leaders gathered for the ceremony, marking the end of the 355th Wing’s close‑air‑support mission that had become a fixture of the Tucson community.

Chief Master Sgt. Dave Anderson Jr., senior enlisted leader of the 355th Operations Group, said the A‑10’s legacy was built on the support of every airman and career field. Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer, commander of the 355th Operations Group, described the departure as “bittersweet,” noting the gradual removal of the aircraft from the flight line. Lt. Col. Ryan Rutter of the 357th Fighter Squadron thanked the community for its partnership over the years.

The final landing signals a transition for personnel who built careers around the Warthog and for the base’s relationship with the surrounding community, while the aircraft’s operational history remains a prominent part of Davis‑Monthan’s identity.