Will this be 'The final act': Idaho and Michigan ANG A-10Cs transit to the Middle East
While the last week of March and the first week of April 2026 are unfolded, the skies over the United Kingdom have witnessed a significant, perhaps historic, display of USAF legacy, but declared obsolete, airpower coming to Europe.
On 5 October 2025, Scramble Magazine first wrote about the A-10 being deployed for the last time. This seems not to be the case. Since then, several other A-10 units have flown towards the Middle East.
Eighteen Air National Guard Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt IIs are now transiting through RAF Lakenheath (UK), most likely en route to the Middle East.
This upcoming deployment, possibly a crucial component of the escalating 'Operation Epic Fury', brings together the 190th Fighter Squadron of the Idaho Air National Guard and the 107th Fighter Squadron of the Michigan Air National Guard.
At this moment, some eighteen FT coded A-10Cs are already in the theatre. What means the word crucial? While the A-10s, which were meant for mainly flying from Jordan soil, to fly over permissive areas, carrying out Close Air Support (CAS) missions have possibly gained other tasks.
During the conflict with Iran, in which the Strait of Hormuz plays an important role, the threat from drones, small boats, unmanned surface vessels and sea mines is real. There is a possibility that slow flying A-10s, whilst operating in and over designated permissive areas above the seas, will carry out maritime attack missions besides CAS. CAS support can also contribute to a crucial phase in which ground troops play a big role. At this moment, more US ground troops are heading to the Middle East.
Will this be the final operational act for USAF’s Thunderbolt II Warthog?
The upcoming A-10 deployment will particularly be significant, perhaps historic, as it represents one of the final combat deployments for the A-10 before its projected retirement by the USAF. Starting in late 2026, the 190th Fighter Squadron 'Skullbangers', part of Idaho ANG’s 124th Fighter Wing, is slated to transition to F-16 fighters in 2027. And in April 2025, President Donald Trump announced that Michigan ANG’s 107th Fighter Squadron 'Red Devils', part of the 127th Wing, would be equipped with the F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, which should begin arriving in fiscal 2028.
The following Idaho and Michigan A-10Cs are now present at RAF Lakenheath:
Credit photos: USAF