The U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday it will phase out A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft—known as the “Warthog”—in South Korea in favor of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II.
“The modernization effort seeks to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” Air Force officials said, “including the Korean peninsula, through state-of-the-art aircraft.”
Throughout the transition period, the Air Force said, it will continue to advance interoperability by cooperating closely with the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Beginning in January, the 25th Fighter Squadron based at Osan Air Base, South Korea, will start a phased withdrawal of its 24 Warthogs. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2025. The Air Force also pointed out that Seventh Air Force F-16s are undergoing avionics upgrades to bring their survivability and weapons-accuracy capabilities closer to fifth-generation standards.
“The advancement of our F-16 upgrades and innovation through our ongoing super squadron test at Osan [Air Base] show our dedication to evolving and adapting our forces to meet the demands of the 21st century,” said Lieutenant General David Iverson, Seventh Air Force commander and U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander. “We will continue to deliver overwhelming, unmatched combat airpower, ensuring that our defenses remain effective in safeguarding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.
