Share and Follow
For enthusiasts of military aviation, few sounds are as iconic as the thunderous BRRRRT of the A-10 Warthog’s 30mm Avenger cannon. This formidable attack jet, known for its rugged design and straightforward effectiveness, has withstood numerous attempts to retire it from service. Emerging from the Cold War era, the A-10 was conceived when someone proposed the idea of a powerful 30mm rotary cannon for tank destruction, and another visionary decided to attach wings to it. Since then, the A-10 has consistently demonstrated its prowess in various military operations, proving its worth time and again.
Currently, the A-10 is soaring over the Strait of Hormuz, engaging with Iranian speedboats in its typical fashion—unleashing a storm of 30mm cannon shells. This update comes from Air Force General Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, who assures us of the aircraft’s continued effectiveness in the region.
General Caine remarked, “The A-10, along with the Apache helicopters, operates best when U.S. forces maintain air superiority. In Iranian airspace, we have achieved absolute air domination, allowing the Warthogs and Apaches to perform their missions without concern for enemy interference.”
It’s somewhat amusing to contrast the current state of Iranian air capabilities with our own. While Iran’s air force consists of outdated, Cold War-era aircraft in disrepair, the A-10 and the B-52—both also relics of the Cold War—remain fully operational and effective. This highlights a significant difference: our technology, though from the same era, continues to function reliably.
“The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz.” pic.twitter.com/NByMKal9pk
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) March 19, 2026
General Caine said:
The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank, and is hunting and killing fast attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz. In addition, AH-64 Apaches have joined the fight on the southern flank, and they continue to work on the southern side, and that includes some of our allies who are using Apaches to handle one-way attack drones.
The A-10, as well as the Apaches, are largely dependent on the U.S. forces having air superiority. Of course, what we have in Iranian airspace now is utterly complete air domination, so the Warthogs and the Apaches can work without having to look over their shoulders.
It’s fun to twit the Iranians about their air force, which consisted of old, busted, Cold War-era aircraft. Now, the A-10, along with the B-52, also operating in the skies over Iran, is also Cold War-era tech; the difference is, ours works.
Like the B-52, the A-10 requires air superiority. We have it. Like the B-52, the A-10 is a creation out of a different time. It’s Cold War technology. Like the B-52, it’s slow, although highly maneuverable. Like the B-52, it’s about as stealthy as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at an all-you-can-eat buffet. And like the B-52, the A-10 is more than ready to deliver a world of hurt – in this case, to any Iranians stupid enough to try to take a speedboat out into the waters of the Strait.
Defense News has more details:
The announcement marks an expansion of the Warthog’s confirmed role in Epic Fury. On March 15, U.S. Central Command released imagery of A-10C Thunderbolt IIs receiving fuel in flight while supporting the operation, the first official visuals of the aircraft in the campaign.
“The A-10 Thunderbolt II can loiter for hours, standing by and ready to execute a mission whenever needed,” CENTCOM said in the accompanying post on X.
Designed for close air support, the A-10 was built to fly low, slow and close to the fight, providing direct fire support to ground forces and, increasingly, to joint forces operating in contested littoral environments. Its titanium-armored cockpit, often referred to as a “titanium bathtub,” and redundant flight systems allow it to absorb significant punishment and continue flying under conditions that would ground less hardened aircraft.
In other words, goblins with AKs can shoot at the A-10 all day long and not hurt it much. And Iran’s air defenses are pretty much scattered parts now. The Warthog may be a simple beast, but it’s got sharp teeth, and it’s in an environment now where not much of anything can stand in its way.
Also, there’s this: Missiles and drones are expensive. But 30mm cannon shells are cheap, and we have a lot of them.
BRRRRRT!
Editor’s Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.