Indiana's Guard Swapped its F-16s for A-10s a Decade Ago. Now the Air Force Wants to Send F-16s Back

[Sherman A1]

In the fall of 2010, the Indiana Air National Guard took on the task of replacing its old, 1990s-era F-16 Fighting Falcons at the Fort Wayne airfield with a fresh fleet of A-10 Warthogs.

The A-10, a larger aircraft at 53 feet, 4 inches long with a 57 foot, 6-inch wingspan, has been in service with the U.S. military since the 1970s. It was used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing close-air support for troops as it lumbered above at a max speed of 420 miles per hour.

But under the latest Air Force budget proposal, nearly two dozen of the Indiana Air National Guard's A-10s would be retired and the 122nd Fighter Wing would bring on new aircraft --

F-16s. Again.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/11/indianas-guard-swapped-its-f-16s-10s-decade-ago-now-air-force-wants-send-f-16s-back.html

[getagrip_already]

1. The a10s aren't being built any longer...

Though they will be in service for another 20 years.

The f16s are being built in SC. Probably a pork barrel decision made under tfg.

[mitch96]

2. "A10s aren't being built any longer." and they are getting upgrades...Wings, avionics

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37233/the-a-10-warthog-is-preparing-for-its-biggest-upgrade-in-over-a-decade

m

[xocetaceans]

3. All A-10s are specially reinforced so that they can withstand birdstrikes from behind. n/t