Senator Stabenow Statement Following Reports that the Air Force will Delay Retirement of A-10 Warthog

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement following reports that the Air Force will delay retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Recently, hundreds of airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard Base and 12 A-10s returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East after flying 1,600 sorties against ISIS as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

“I am very pleased with reports that the Air Force has delayed plans to retire the A-10 Warthog, which is fully engaged against ISIS and continues to protect troops under fire and save lives. I, along with members of the Michigan delegation, have repeatedly called on the Pentagon to keep the A-10 fleet flying, and recently spoke to the Air Force Secretary about its importance to our military and the Michigan Air National Guard. This report is welcome news for our troops and the hundreds of airmen who fly and operate the A-10 at Selfridge and just returned home after flying 1,600 sorties against ISIS overseas.”