An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 6, 2010

New A-10s arrive at Fort Wayne

By Courtesy Story

FORT WAYNE, Ind., - The 122nd Fighter Wing is currently converting from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog.

The A-10 is a larger aircraft at 53 feet 4 inches long with a 57-foot- 6-inch wingspan, according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet. It was created for air to ground operations, whereas even though the F-16 performs this mission well, it was originally created for air to air operations.

Compared to the F-16, which is capable of reaching speeds up to 1,500 mph, the Warthog flies low and slow reaching speeds up to 420 mph, the fact sheet states. This gives the pilot ample time to lock on and engage the target.

The A-10 is capable of carrying a 16,000 pound payload which could be made up of a large variety of bombs, missiles, rockets, flares and of course the 30 mm, seven-barrel Gatling gun, according to the fact sheet. The gun on this aircraft will fire up to 3,900 rounds of ammunition per minute, defeating a wide variety of targets including tanks.

The pilots in this aircraft are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system, the fact sheet states. Because the Warthog is designed to fly low and slow, it is also designed to survive close air support missions, meaning it can take direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles and still make it home.

Converting from the F-16 to the A-10 is about a three-year process. The 122nd Fighter Wing expects to have received most A-10s and sent off all F-16s by this fall, so the Warthogs should be flying before the end of the year, Guard officials said.

The remaining conversion time will be spent training and performing acceptance inspections on all A-10s on the ramp.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...