Watch: US Air Force ferries more A-10 Warthogs to Middle East
April 2, 2026
The US Air Force is ferrying more Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs (aka Warhogs) to the Middle East. Around a dozen A-10s were already in the Middle East and have been participating in Operation Epic Fury. After the FY 2026 budget, a minimum of 103 A-10s remain in service.
US dispatching more A-10 Thunderbolts to Middle East
Air and Space Forces Magazine reports these A-10s are poised to double the number of Warthogs the US has deployed in the Middle East.
At least 18x USAF A-10 Warthogs are on the ground in England, stopping over on their way to the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/wMhxOPlgDE
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 1, 2026
The publication wrote, “Twelve A-10s from the 107th Fighter Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., flew from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., to RAF Lakenheath.”
This is in addition to the six A-10s that flew from Pease to Lakenheath on the 31st of March. Those are assigned to the 190th Fighter Squadron and based out of Gowen Field Air National Guard Base in Idaho.
Yesterday, OSINTtechnical posted, “At least 18x USAF A-10 Warthogs are on the ground in England, stopping over on their way to the Middle East.”
BREAKING: A major sign of a potential U.S. ground invasion!
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 1, 2026
12 US A-10C Thunderbolt II ‘Warthogs’ just landed at RAF Lakenheath in the UK en route to the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury.
This is a major sign of potential ground invasion against Iran. The A-10 is built for… pic.twitter.com/0XMQrqmGb5
The OSINT account Armchair Admiral tracking flights posted, “Two KC-135s have departed RAF Mildenhall and Prestwick to collect what should be a further six A-10s… They will join the 12x A-10s from the 107th Fighter Squadron that arrived at RAF Lakenheath last night.”
Like other combat aircraft, these ground fighters are ferried to RAF Lakenheath in England before resuming their journey to the Middle East.
‼️🇺🇸🇮🇷 BREAKING | At this moment, 12 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft are being transferred from Bangor Air Base in the United States to RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, supported by aerial refueling tankers.
— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 30, 2026
It appears that the United States may soon initiate a ground… pic.twitter.com/sUcwr4w9QM
In the build-up to the air campaign over Iran, AGN reported how some F-22 Raptors had issues with their tankers flying out of the US to make the crossing to England.
The A-10 contribution to Iran air campaign
The A-10 may be in the twilight of its career, but it is experiencing considerable action in the current conflict in the Middle East. The Air Force has fitted them as drone hunters with APKWS rockets. The last of the A-10s is expected to retire before 2030.
Footage of a USAF A-10 Warthog strafing a militia base in Al Anbar Province, Iraq today. pic.twitter.com/4bLBH1JDjq
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 25, 2026
Multiple videos have emerged showing the A-10s using their autocannon against militia targets in Iraq as part of the wider Iran conflict. The War Zone notes they have also been used to help dismantle Iran’s navy, while pointing out their maritime role is often overlooked.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said, “Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
Possible expansion of Iran operations
AGN has reported that the United States is moving amphibious Marine Corps groups and US Army airborne units to the Middle East ahead of possible limited ground operations against Iran.
#USAF United States Air Force – Coronet East
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 31, 2026
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x#AE038F 63-7996 – BORA 43#AE065D 60-0320 – BORA 44
Two KC-135s have departed RAF Mildenhall and Prestwick to collect what should be a further six A-10s – this time from the 190th Fighter Squadron… pic.twitter.com/3JRg9XoSO0
It is unclear if the US is preparing to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, some strategic islands in the Strait of Hormuz, or launch an operation deep into Iran to seize its stockpiles of depleted uranium. These operations are not mutually exclusive, and other options are possible.
Despite some notable US losses, from a military perspective, the conflict has been extremely one-sided, with the US and Israel largely destroying Iran’s navy, air force, much of its leadership, and essentially any target they want to and can identify.
A-10 strikes a base in Iraq’s Al-Anbar province this morning. pic.twitter.com/NnFPoOUYPS
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 25, 2026
However, wars are far more complicated, and while the countries have degraded Iran’s ability to fire missiles and drones, they haven’t been able to stop them. Iran effectively blocking and turning the Strait of Hormuz into its tollbooth is perhaps the most pressing concern.
It is unclear if these extra A-10s are being dispatched as part of a US mission to reopen the straits and break Iran’s chokehold. It is also unclear what such an operation will look like.
But what is clear is that the old A-10 Warthog is experiencing what could be its last major hurrah before the last are sent to the boneyard.
Featured Image: US Air Force
