Iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II Attack Aircraft Head to the Middle East to Help F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon

A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft have proven themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan, but their time is gone. However, the Air Force

US forces have found a new use for obsolete aircraft.

What is known

It is believed that the A-10 Thunderbolt II willineffective in military conflicts with an enemy that has a developed air defense system. As relations between the US and Russia/China worsen, the US Air Force has decided to send advanced aircraft to the Pacific and Europe, with A-10s stationed in the Middle East.

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Deployment of the company's iconic stormtroopersFairchild Republic is scheduled for April 2023. It will be part of a broader US plan to maintain modest land and sea forces in the region.

US forces in the Middle East containmilitias backed by Iran. Since 2021, they have carried out 78 strikes against US and coalition positions. Mostly rockets, mortars and drones are used for attacks. For example, a few days ago, a drone attacked an American base in Syria.

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The Ministry of Defense decided to leave the MiddleEast 2.5 Fighter Squadron. The US Air Force will send a group of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to help them. A squadron usually consists of 12 aircraft. The A-10s will be stationed in the region along with the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

This plan raised eyebrows as the US Air Forcewant to phase out all Thunderbolt II aircraft and are doing so at a rapid pace. The draft budget for fiscal year 2024 assumes the abandonment of 42 attack aircraft. In addition, 21 aircraft will retire this year.

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Experts believe that A-10 will be useful onMiddle East against lightly armed militia fighter jets or Iranian warships. This will allow the US Air Force to release more modern multi-role fighters and send them to other regions.

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US officials familiar withsituation, they claim that in addition to aircraft, the United States will retain two divisions of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in the Middle East. One division consists of four batteries, each of which includes up to eight launchers. In addition, more than 30,000 US military personnel will remain in the region.