Iranian Swarm Crushed—Warthogs Unleashed!

(LibertySociety.com) –A-10 Warthogs just obliterated over 120 Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz, yet the Air Force still plans to scrap every one—betraying Trump’s promise to end endless wars and keep America strong without new entanglements.

Story Highlights

U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft have destroyed more than 120 IRGC fast-attack boats and mine layers in Operation Epic Fury, securing vital oil shipping lanes.
Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the Warthogs’ deadly maritime role, using GAU-8 cannons and missiles against Iranian swarms threatening 20% of global oil.
Proven battlefield success clashes with Air Force retirement push, delayed only by Congress to 2029 despite Trump’s no-new-wars pledge now in question amid Iran conflict.
Joint Air Force-Navy ops from Iraq and Jordan bases counter asymmetric threats, easing energy costs but fueling MAGA frustration over foreign wars.
Experts hail A-10’s “sea change” effectiveness, validating low-cost platforms over expensive F-35 shifts that strain taxpayer dollars.

A-10 Warthogs Enter Combat Against Iranian Swarms

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs destroyed over 120 Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack boats and mine layers in the Strait of Hormuz. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine announced this on March 19, 2026, during a Pentagon briefing. The aircraft, originally built for tank-killing in close air support, now hunt boats using the 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and APKWS rockets. This shift supports Operation Epic Fury, President Trump’s response to Iranian aggression that closed the strait, spiking energy prices families can’t afford.

Training and Deployment Buildup

A-10 pilots trained for maritime interdiction in February 2026 with the USS Santa Barbara, a Littoral Combat Ship, in the Persian Gulf. Exercises built on prior drills like those with USS Stethem in 2023 and Gulf of Oman operations. Bases in Iraq and Jordan provide persistent overwatch, integrating with Navy mine-clearing to reopen the strait for oil tankers carrying 20% of global supply. Iranian tactics rely on agile swarms armed with anti-ship missiles, rockets, and mines—threats A-10s neutralize with superior loiter time and precision strikes.

Gen. Caine Confirms Battlefield Success

Gen. Dan Caine stated, “The A-10 Warthog is now engaged across the southern flank, hunting and killing fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz.” Loadouts include LITENING targeting pods, AIM-9M Sidewinders for drones, and rocket pods. U.S. Central Command released images verifying these configurations. The Warthogs also counter Iranian drones, showcasing adaptations from Cold War design to modern littoral defense. This joint effort with U.S. Navy forces degrades IRGC capabilities threatening American interests and allies.

Conservatives cheer the tactical win protecting energy flows and deterring terror sponsors, yet question escalation draining resources from border security and inflation fights. Trump’s armada buildup and strikes echo past interventions many hoped he’d avoid.

Retirement Debate Amid Proven Utility

The Air Force pushes to retire all A-10s by fiscal year 2026 end on September 30, favoring F-35 modernization despite congressional delays via NDAA to retain 103 airframes until 2029. Experts like Steve Balestrieri call this a “sea change,” crediting the GAU-8’s dominance over swarms. The Aviationist notes maneuverability lessons from Red Sea and Ukraine conflicts. Defense One labels it a “wake-up call” against divestment of reliable, low-cost assets.

The A-10 Warthog Is Destroying Iranian Boats in the Strait of Hormuz Right Now — and the Air Force Might Retire Every One of Them on October 1https://t.co/S0VTzuTGhT

— 19FortyFive (@19_forty_five) March 23, 2026

Short-term, operations restore oil flow, averting price surges hitting working families. Long-term, A-10 success challenges doctrines shifting to high-tech platforms, bolstering deterrence without full regime change quagmires. MAGA base divides: pride in American firepower versus frustration with war pulling focus from domestic wins like ending woke policies and illegal immigration.