Sadly for the Air Force, the current wars always seem to have a place for this death-dealing plane:
The U.S. Air Force is shelving plans to retire the aging A-10 "Warthog" aircraft, a heavily armored tank killer, because of its role in the fight against Islamic State, online publication Defense One reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.
The 40-year-old ground attack aircraft is popular with soldiers, Marines - and some U.S. lawmakers.
One day the A-10 will need to be retired. Just as one day the B-52 will need to be retired. Or the F-16 or F-15. Planes do get old and unable to do their job. The first stealth plane, the F-117, is already gone after a fairly brief lifespan.
But that day has not arrived for the Warthog. And when the A-10 must be retired, I also know there will be no real replacement for the plane in the Air Force arsenal.
