Air Force Inactivated Final A-10 Units at Davis-Monthan
The service retired the last A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons at the Tucson base, ending a 50-year legacy of service.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Military
The U.S. Air Force officially inactivated its final A-10 Thunderbolt II units during a ceremony held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The move marks the end of an era for the iconic aircraft in Tucson after five decades of operations.
Why it matters
The inactivation signifies the conclusion of the A-10's long-standing role in providing close air support and combat search and rescue missions. Historical items from the units are now being preserved for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
The inactivation involved the 355th Operations Group, the 357th Fighter Squadron, the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron, and the 355th Training Squadron. These units had been active since May 1, 1992, at the Tucson installation.
The players
355th Operations Group
This unit provided close air support and combat search and rescue missions while based at Davis-Monthan.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Located at Wright-Patterson AFB, this institution preserves historical records and artifacts related to American aviation history.
The details
Commanders rolled and cased the unit guidons to symbolize the formal closure of the squadrons. Staff are currently packing historical documents and memorabilia into containers to be shipped to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Timeline
1974: Pilot selected for A-10 testing at Edwards AFB.
November 7, 1975: First A-10 aircraft flown at Davis-Monthan AFB.
May 1, 1992: The 355th Operations Group was activated.
September 18, 2026: Final A-10 units inactivated at Davis-Monthan AFB.
Political Context
Opponents of the retirement have long argued that the A-10 remains essential for close air support in low-threat environments. They contend that shifting resources away from the platform risks leaving ground troops without the specialized protection they have relied on for decades.
The closure of these units represents a significant shift in the operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which has been a major employer and presence in Tucson for 50 years. Residents may see changes to local flight patterns and personnel staffing as the base transitions to new missions.
The takeaway
The retirement of the A-10 marks the end of a unique era in close air support aviation history. Tucson residents and history enthusiasts can track the preservation of these legacy items as they reach their final home at the national museum.
Further reading
For more on local defense changes, visit the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aerotech News & Review.
