Chuck Norris Adds His Voice To Support The A-10 Warthog

Photo: Norris during a promotion ceremony at Camp Taqaddum in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on November 2, 2006. Wikipedia

Chuck Norris, WND: Save the A-10 Thunderbolt!

Exclusive: Chuck Norris urges feds not to send fighter jets to airplane scrapyard

The “Warthog” is term of endearment in the U.S. Air Force’s line up of fighter jets. Its firepower capability, speed and accuracy, frequent war use, and the oft-painted teeth on its nose cone have made it one of the military’s most popular aircraft. I am humbled and honored that many have called the Warthog: “the Chuck Norris of airplanes.” But what you might not know is that its entire fleet right now runs the risk of landing in the U.S. airplane scrapyard, if the government has its way.

WNU Editor: What surprises me about Chuck Norris is that he is 75!!!!!

More News On Chuck Norris Adding His Voice To Support The A-10 Warthog

Chuck Norris fighting A-10 cuts -- The Hill
Chuck Norris weighs in on A-10 debate -- Air Force Times
Chuck Norris takes on Air Force to defend A-10: ‘The Chuck Norris of airplanes’ -- Washington Times
Chuck Norris Fights for the A-10 Warthog -- Washington Free Beacon
Chuck Norris shows his support for saving the A-10 -- Auto Blog

The U.S. Force Admits That They Do Not Have A Plan For Close Air Support When The A-10 Is Gone

The A-10 has proven itself to be the platform of choice for close air support missions, and many have criticised USAF plans to withdraw the aircraft as a cost saving measure. Source: US Air Force

Daily Caller: Air Force Has No Idea What Will Replace The A-10

Head of Air Combat Command Gen. Hawk Carlisle informed reporters on Friday that, despite a week of deliberation, the Air Force is still unclear as to what next-generation aircraft would replace the A-10’s much-needed close-air support capabilities.

The week-long summit, which brought together leaders across all branches of the military to discuss close-air support, concluded on Friday with broad agreement that the Air Force’s position on the matter is correct: the A-10 needs to be retired in order to cut costs and make way for the expensive F-35, Defense News reports. Currently, the Air Force’s budget exceeds sequestration limits by $10 billion dollars, and one of the justifications given by Air Force leadership for retiring the A-10 stems from the toll it takes on the budget.

More News On the U.S. Air Force Admitting That They Do Not Have A 'Close Air Support' Plan

Close-air support mission to get new scrutiny by Air Force as A-10 jet retires -- Washington Post
US Air Force Scouting For New Planes For Low End Air Support Missions: Retiring A10 Fleet Makes Acquisition Urgent -- IBTimes
These planes could someday replace the A-10 — if the Pentagon spends the cash -- Washington Post
Close Air Support Summit Sparks Nod To Textron’s Scorpion -- Breaking Defense
General: F-35 Will Initially Lag Older Aircraft in Close Air Support -- Defense Tech
F-35 Will Not Reach Full Close-Air-Support Potential Until 2022 -- Military.com
Here's how the Air Force is trying to limit the fallout from its controversial decision to retire the A-10 -- Sandra I. Erwin, National Defense Magazine

Did The U.S. Air Force 'Doctored' Its Stats In Its Campaign To Close The A-10 Program?

A U.S. Air Force A-10C warplane carrying missiles, rockets and bombs takes off from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada during an exercise on March 5, 2010. Republicans in Congress may save the plane against the wishes of the Air Force. IBTimes / Alberto Riva

Mandy Smithberger, War Is Boring: The Air Force’s Smear Campaign Against the A-10 Relies on Flawed Data

Per sorties flown, the attack jet is actually one of the least dangerous to friendly troops

WNU Editor: Talk about your case/presentation for why the A-10 should be retired being blown to smithereens. If this is true it is beyond embarrassing .... how can anyone trust the U.S. Air Force when it comes to the A-10 program. People should be held accountable for this .... and if the data was deliberately skewed to mislead Congress and the public .... we are now entering a place where people should be fired and/or demoted.

Previous Post: Is The A-10 Responsible For Numerous 'Friendly' Fire Deaths?

More News On Reports That The U.S. Air Force Is Using 'Flawed Data' To Close The A-10 Program

Group: AF Skewed Data in A-10 ‘Smear Campaign’ -- Defense Tech
Air Force released cherry-picked data to smear A-10 Thunderbolts II -- Washington Times
Watchdog group accuses Air Force of A-10 'smear campaign' -- UPI
Watchdog disputes Air Force data on A-10 friendly fire deaths -- Military Times
Watchdog: Air Force 'doctored the data' to make A-10 look bad -- The Hill

Update: Air Force defends 'Warthog' stats

WNU Editor: When you hit rock bottom .... the last thing that you should do is to start digging .... but that is exactly what the Air Force is doing right now with this explanation.

Update #2: More proof that the U.S. Air Force has decided to not listen to Congress .... DoD to begin moving A-10 mechanics to F-35A (IHS Jane's 360).

WNU Editor: Hat Tip to reader Jay for this lead.

Is The A-10 Responsible For Numerous 'Friendly' Fire Deaths?

Air Force crews rearm, refuel and ready A-10 Warthogs.(Photo: Alan Lessig, Air Force Times)

USA Today: A-10 warplane tops list for friendly fire deaths

WASHINGTON — The Air Force A-10 attack jet has killed more U.S. troops in friendly fire incidents and more Afghan civilians than any other aircraft flown by the U.S. military, according to data declassified and obtained by USA TODAY.

WNU Editor: By its nature the A-10 provides close support for ground troops .... so yes .... I am not surprised that U.S. soldiers and civilians have been accidentally killed by this plane. But aside from using helicopters .... there are limits to what planes can be used and the A-10 has served a vital and critical role in many of the battles in Afghanistan .... and not surprisingly are providing a critical role in the current war against the Islamic State.

As to the question on why is this story being released now .... I suspect that many in the Pentagon do want this plane gone so that more funds can be directed at procuring more F-35s. There is also the question of Maj. Gen. James Post .... who because of his A-10 treason comments has changed the focus and discussion on the future of the A-10 .... with the result that critics of the A-10 are now trying to refocus the debate.

Hat Tip to Aizino Smith for this lead.

Is The U.S. Air Force Conducting An Investigating To Find Out Who Is Talking To Congress On The Future Of The A-10 So That They Can Then Be 'Punished'?

Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs set off flares as they fly over Georgia in August. (Photo: Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter/Air Force)

The Hill: Senator presses Air Force chief on A-10 ‘treason’ comments

WNU Editor: As I had mentioned when this story first broke out .... Maj. Gen James Post can now kiss his third star goodbye. But if he or anyone else was actively involved in conducting an investigation to find out who has been talking to Congress so that they can be punished .... that person should be fired immediately.

More News On The A-10 "Treason" Controversy

James Post, two-star Air Force general, under investigation for controversial comments -- Washington Times
IG investigating two-star's 'treason' comments -- Air Force Times
Air Force probing alleged 'treason' remark by general -- Kansas City/AP
After treason comment, senator asks AF chief about ‘reverse’ probe -- Stars and Stripes
Sen. Ayotte: Air Force trying to ID A-10 supporters -- Air Force Times
Ayotte charges Air Force probing talks with Hill -- Politico
Watchdog group: Fire 2-star for alleged A-10 'treason' comment -- Air Force Times

A-10 Warthogs Are Putting Fear In The Ranks Of The Islamic State

The A-10 flies low, needs little maintenance, an scares the heck out of ISIS, according to a recent report. (USAF)

FOX News: Legendary A-10 'Warthog' sends ISIS fleeing even as it faces Pentagon cuts

WNU Editor: As a close support aircraft it has proven itself on numerous occasions .... even the enemy has made it a high priority target for its anti-aircraft missile teams .... Islamic State using MANPADS against A-10 Warthogs in Iraq: report (Washington Times). For the moment the A-10 will survive .... but a better way must be found to keep the plane flying and its budget for future operations more secured.

U.S. General: If You Praise the A-10 You Are Committing Treason

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

Defense Tech: The Arizona Daily Independent

WNU Editor: I suspect that these lawmakers will strongly disagree .... McCain, other US lawmakers, vow to save A-10 'Warthog' aircraft (Reuters). Maj. Gen. James Post can also (probably) kiss his hopes of getting a third star good-bye. Meanwhile in the real world .... A-10 Performing 11 Percent of Anti-ISIS Sorties (Defense News), while insurgents have made these planes high priority targets .... U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft face the threat of Man Portable Air Defense Systems in Iraq (The Aviationist).

The U.S. Air Force Promotes The A-10 While Calling For Its Demise

Watch the A-10 Movie the U.S. Air Force Doesn’t Want You to See -- David Axe, War Is Boring

Official film praises the same jet the flying branch wants to retire.

The U.S. Air Force has practically begged Congress to allow it to retire its roughly 300 A-10 Warthogs, those venerable twin-jet attackers that saved countless soldiers’ lives in Iraq and Afghanistan—and which recently returned to Iraq to help battle Islamic State.

The flying branch argues that the new F-35 stealth fighter is an adequate replacement for the low- and slow-flying Warthog—and the Air Force should spend its money buying F-35s instead of maintaining the A-10s and their unique 30-millimeter cannons.

Read more ....

My Comment: Impressive video. A must see.

U.S. Deploying A-10 Warthogs And Reaper Drones To Combat The Islamic State

Deadly force: A line up of A-10s at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Planes of this type will arrive in Kuwait for combat operations next week

A-10 Warthogs And Reaper Drones Called Up To Blast ISIS From The Skies: U.S. Air Force's Most Feared Ground Attack Planes Will Strike Militant Targets Within Days -- Daily Mail

* A dozen A-10s are being moved from Afghanistan to Kuwait by next week to start patrols over Iraq and Syria
* Fearsome planes can approach targets low and slow and are protected against small arms fire and RPGs - ISIS's favored weapons
* More drones armed with missiles will patrol the skies within weeks as war on the Islamic State is stepped up
* Deployment comes after 200 commanders held talks on defeating ISIS, which is half-army, half-insurgency

A dozen of the United States Air Force’s most feared attack aircraft are to be deployed in the battle against ISIS.

Twelve A-10 ‘Warthogs’ are being moved from Afghanistan to Kuwait to carry out patrols against the Islamic State militants who have taken swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory.

The new deployment will boost the USAF’s ability to patrol the skies and take out ISIS targets.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Deploying A-10 Warthogs And Reaper Drones To Combat The Islamic State

The A-10 jet will launch airstrikes against the Islamic State -- Washington Post
A-10s deployed to take on the Islamic State -- Stars and Stripes
A-10s Return to Iraq after Air Force Tries to Retire Fleet -- Military.com
Air Force to deploy A-10s to combat Islamic State -- UPI
A-10 Thunderbolt Deployed To Iraq For Fight Against The Islamic State -- IBTimes
The A-10 Warthog Is Back in Iraq — And Just in Time -- Robert Beckhusen, War Is Boring