Two shark mouth-marked A-10s from Moody AFB’s 74th Fighter Squadron transited by way of RAF Lakenheath en path to the Center East, probably changing the Warthog misplaced through the CSAR mission over Iran.
Two extra A-10C Thunderbolt IIs are on their option to the Center East, becoming a member of the plane already deployed there. Apparently, the plane belong to 74th Fighter Squadron “Flying Tigers” from Moody Air Power Base, Georgia, and are sporting their attribute shark mouth.
The 74th FS, along with the seventy fifth FS, is a part of the twenty third Fighter Group, which is the one unit at present licensed to color the shark mouth on its plane. That is as a result of unit’s heritage because the descendent unit of the World Warfare 2’s American Volunteer Group (AVG) “Flying Tigers,” which adopted the markings on its P-40B fighters in 1941.
Extra A-10s headed east
The 2 A-10s arrived at RAF Lakenheath, within the UK, on Apr. 17, 2026, flying with the callsigns TREND 71 and 72, supported by a single KC-135R Stratotanker flying as ROMA21. The plane departed once more on Apr. 20 with the identical callsigns, supported by a KC-135R flying as BORA23 which was working from Istres-Le Tubé Air Base, France.
Notably, this ferry cell is far smaller than common. The truth is, earlier deployment have normally seen 10-12 plane flying collectively throughout the Atlantic Ocean on their option to Europe and later the Center East.
It should be famous {that a} Warthog (because the plane is nicknamed throughout the fighter pilot neighborhood) was misplaced through the Fight Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission to get better the pilot of DUDE 44, the F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. As we beforehand reported, the pilot was rescued by a package deal which included HC-130J Fight King II personnel restoration plane, HH-60W Jolly Inexperienced II helicopters and A-10Cs.
Coronet East 066 – Losses to get replaced #FreeIran— Operation EPIC FURY —
A single tanker from France is supporting the transfer of two further A-10C “Thunderbolt II” assault plane to the Center East this morning after their transient keep at RAF Lakenheath (EGUL).
KC-135R… pic.twitter.com/rNU6DlBs9F
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) April 20, 2026
Whereas this has not been confirmed formally, we can’t exclude the likelihood that these two A-10s deploying alone is perhaps changing the misplaced A-10. The second plane might be both appearing as a spare or changing an plane which suffered upkeep points.
It’s probably these Warthogs will be a part of the plane of the twenty third FG that are already within the Center East. The truth is, the unit’s A-10s have been featured a number of occasions in CENTCOM’s photographs, with the shark mouth and the tail flash of the seventy fifth FS clearly recognizable, along with the tiger tail of the twenty third Operational Help Squadron.
The A-10’s Position in Iran
The shut air assist plane has lengthy been mentioned to not have a spot in a contemporary battle with closely contested environments. Nevertheless, the A-10, due to its versatility, has rapidly started working in Iran in a number of roles.
The primary official photos of the jet in motion as a part of Operation Epic Fury emerged on Mar. 15, displaying the A-10 with a blended loadout which will be employed towards a number of sorts of targets. The jets have been loaded with two AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface guided missiles, two LAU-131 A/A pods with seven AGR-20 laser-guided rockets every and two AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, along with an AN/AAQ-28 Litening concentrating on pod and a 600 gallon exterior gas tank.
U.S. Air Power A-10 Thunderbolt II’s obtain gas in-flight whereas supporting Operation Epic Fury. The A-10 Thunderbolt II can loiter for hours, standing by and able to execute a mission at any time when wanted. pic.twitter.com/VjESHLR32Y
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2026
This payload permits the A-10 a great flexibility throughout fight missions, with the ability to have interaction each air and floor targets. The Sidewinders and the rockets have been already utilized by the Warthog whereas flying Counter Unmanned Aerial Programs (C-UAS) missions towards small drones the Shahed 136.
This isn’t a information, because the A-10s have been additionally noticed whereas getting back from deployment in 2025 with Shahed-type UAS kill markings on their noses. Whereas no affirmation by the U.S. Air Power was launched again then, the photographs have been the primary indication that the A-10 shot down hostile One Approach Assault (OWA) drones in fight.
This function is very made doable by the AGR-20 rocket, a Hydra 70 rocket modified with the Superior Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) steering package to remodel it in a low value guided weapon. This was initially developed just for an air-to-ground use, however later advanced into the brand new function.
The weapon not solely permits for an elevated payload, within the photos talked about bringing the air-to-air weapons from two to 16 in complete, but additionally has a smaller financial affect. The AGR-20 is in reality estimated to have a value of lower than $30,000, which is extra comparable with the price of Iranian OWA drones in comparison with the costlier AIM-9.
U.S. navy sustainers are on high of their sport. pic.twitter.com/EK9eqF4fc8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 20, 2026
On Mar. 19, 2026, the Pentagon has additionally introduced that the A-10 is being employed to search out Iranian quick assault watercraft within the Strait of Hormuz. The use in a maritime area will not be unprecedented, as the sort has frequently taken half in U.S. submarine escort and live-fire workouts lately.
Initially the Warthog has been not often used within the maritime area, with one of many few situations being the 2011 Operation Unified Protector which noticed A-10s partaking, along with a P-3C Orion, a patrol boat and several other small assault craft within the port of Misrata, Libya. Afterward, within the 2020s, the plane took half in a number of Maritime Floor Warfare workouts and carried out unit protection coaching.
This follows the renewed consideration in direction of uneven threats brought on by the assaults within the Purple Sea or the skirmishes between the Ukrainian USVs (Unmanned Floor Automobiles) and the Russian Navy within the Black Sea. Excessive Worth Targets, like U.S. warships and civilian ships and tankers might be attacked and overwhelmed by coordinated swarms of USVs, difficult the standard naval protection methods.
The A-10’s maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude, versatile armament, extremely correct weapons-delivery capabilities, and prolonged loiter time are all key attributes that make it extremely efficient at towards quick naval targets within the Persian Gulf and past.
The roles of the A-10 in Operation Epic Fury, nevertheless, don’t finish right here, because the plane can also be getting used over Iraq towards Iran-aligned militias. A number of movies present the Warthog in motion in Iraq, conducting strafing runs with the GAU-8 30 mm gun.
