Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
The signature of the A-10 is its 30mm Gatling gun, capable of firing up to 3,900 rounds per minute. This cannon isn’t just loud; it’s bunker-shattering extreme firepower.
When the ground gets hot and troops are under fire, there’s a particular sound that brings much needed steel rain: BRRRRT. That’s the unmistakable growl of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Air Force’s legendary close-air support jet.
Built specifically to back up boots on the ground, the “Warthog” is simple, lethal, and damn near indestructible. This twin-engine beast is tailor-made to survive and dominate in the harshest conditions. It can hit light maritime targets, enemy armor, and just about anything else unlucky enough to cross its path. With unmatched maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes, it can dance around terrain while laying down precision fire in austere conditions.
Operating under low ceilings and limited visibility? No problem. Night ops? Pilots are equipped with night vision and the experience to make it count. Its short takeoff and landing capability and wide combat radius mean it can get in and out of forward positions fast. With precision-guided munitions and unguided munitions, they can act above, below, and in the weather.
But the real signature of the A-10 is its massive 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun—capable of firing up to 3,900 rounds per minute. This cannon isn’t just loud; it’s tank-busting, bunker-shattering, morale-crushing firepower. Combine that with laser and GPS-guided bombs, Mavericks, Sidewinders, and a suite of electronic warfare gear, and the Thunderbolt II becomes more than a support plane—it’s a flying tank hunter.
Despite its effectiveness, the Warthog is flying into uncertain skies. In 2024, the Air Force sent at least 39 retired A-10C Thunderbolt IIs to the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The move comes even as the Warthog continues to see use in combat operations and training exercises overseas—a paradox that frustrates many of the aircraft’s loyal supporters.
One thing remains clear: for troops on the ground, there’s nothing like hearing that BRRRRT on the horizon.
