Breaking News: U.S. Alabama Air National Guard begins A-10 Thunderbolt II replacement with F-35A fighter jets
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According to information published by the U.S. Moody Air Force Base on June 18, 2025, two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard conducted infrastructure compatibility testing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The trials are a key milestone in the base’s transformation into a fifth-generation fighter hub, signaling the anticipated replacement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft with the stealth-capable F-35A fighter jet.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 187th Fighter Wing conducts a low-level flight during a noise assessment exercise at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, on June 18, 2025. The exercise serves as a baseline for future evaluations as the F-35A prepares for integration into Moody’s operational environment. (Picture source: U.S. Moody Air Force Base)
With the steady progress of divesting the aging A-10 ground attack aircraft fleet, these trials represent a foundational step in ensuring that Moody AFB can effectively support the operational needs of the F-35A fighter jets. The tests focused on evaluating how the sound profile of the F-35A’s powerful engines affects the functionality of Moody’s existing Air Traffic Control tower infrastructure. This includes critical assessments of sound pressure levels during various flight maneuvers such as low passes and afterburner runs, simulating real-world operations. The goal is to ensure that air traffic controllers can maintain full situational awareness and communication effectiveness without degradation from acoustic interference.
As Air Combat Command moves forward with its modernization initiatives, ensuring the seamless integration of advanced platforms like the F-35A is a top priority. The F-35 brings unmatched multirole capabilities, combining stealth, advanced sensors, and superior situational awareness, making it a natural successor to the A-10 for both close air support and precision strike missions. While the A-10 remains renowned for its survivability and ground-attack performance, the F-35A’s flexibility and survivability in contested airspace represent a generational leap in capability.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog,” entered service in the late 1970s, specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. Its defining feature is the 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon, capable of devastating enemy armor with pinpoint accuracy. The aircraft’s rugged airframe, titanium armor “bathtub” protecting the pilot, and ability to operate from austere airfields made it a battlefield icon through conflicts such as Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq. However, the A-10 was developed during the Cold War for a battlefield environment shaped by Soviet armored columns, and its capabilities, while potent, are increasingly outmatched in the face of advanced air defense systems and evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
The decision to phase out the A-10 stems from strategic and operational imperatives. The F-35A offers low observability, electronic warfare capabilities, and an extensive sensor suite, enabling it to detect, track, and engage targets before being seen. Its network-centric design allows for integration into joint and allied command structures, providing unmatched situational awareness and lethality. Replacing the A-10 with the F-35A reflects a shift from platform-specific roles toward multirole flexibility, allowing fewer aircraft to perform a broader range of missions.
Jason Hughes, director of the F-35A Program Integration Office, stated that the testing conducted at Moody is crucial to shaping future F-35A deployments. The data collected during this event will directly inform decisions regarding ATC tower upgrades and resource allocations necessary for the platform’s successful integration. This reflects a proactive posture by the U.S. Air Force to guarantee operational readiness and to avoid delays as new aircraft are phased in.
Col. Paul Sheets, Commander of the 23rd Wing, highlighted that the tests underscore Moody AFB’s commitment to mission continuity and airpower excellence. The evaluation covered not only acoustic impacts but also the effectiveness of existing soundproofing, the resilience of communications systems, and the capacity of personnel to operate efficiently under new conditions. This aligns with broader efforts to ensure that every element of the base is aligned with the requirements of fifth-generation operations.
Moody AFB’s transition toward becoming an F-35A fighter jets base is emblematic of the U.S. Air Force’s long-term vision to retire legacy platforms like the A-10 and reshape its tactical airpower footprint. As the F-35A continues to take on expanded roles across the service, its introduction at bases like Moody reflects a strategic investment in future combat readiness.
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According to information published by the U.S. Moody Air Force Base on June 18, 2025, two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard conducted infrastructure compatibility testing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The trials are a key milestone in the base’s transformation into a fifth-generation fighter hub, signaling the anticipated replacement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft with the stealth-capable F-35A fighter jet.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 187th Fighter Wing conducts a low-level flight during a noise assessment exercise at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, on June 18, 2025. The exercise serves as a baseline for future evaluations as the F-35A prepares for integration into Moody’s operational environment. (Picture source: U.S. Moody Air Force Base)
With the steady progress of divesting the aging A-10 ground attack aircraft fleet, these trials represent a foundational step in ensuring that Moody AFB can effectively support the operational needs of the F-35A fighter jets. The tests focused on evaluating how the sound profile of the F-35A’s powerful engines affects the functionality of Moody’s existing Air Traffic Control tower infrastructure. This includes critical assessments of sound pressure levels during various flight maneuvers such as low passes and afterburner runs, simulating real-world operations. The goal is to ensure that air traffic controllers can maintain full situational awareness and communication effectiveness without degradation from acoustic interference.
As Air Combat Command moves forward with its modernization initiatives, ensuring the seamless integration of advanced platforms like the F-35A is a top priority. The F-35 brings unmatched multirole capabilities, combining stealth, advanced sensors, and superior situational awareness, making it a natural successor to the A-10 for both close air support and precision strike missions. While the A-10 remains renowned for its survivability and ground-attack performance, the F-35A’s flexibility and survivability in contested airspace represent a generational leap in capability.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog,” entered service in the late 1970s, specifically designed for close air support of ground forces. Its defining feature is the 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon, capable of devastating enemy armor with pinpoint accuracy. The aircraft’s rugged airframe, titanium armor “bathtub” protecting the pilot, and ability to operate from austere airfields made it a battlefield icon through conflicts such as Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq. However, the A-10 was developed during the Cold War for a battlefield environment shaped by Soviet armored columns, and its capabilities, while potent, are increasingly outmatched in the face of advanced air defense systems and evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
The decision to phase out the A-10 stems from strategic and operational imperatives. The F-35A offers low observability, electronic warfare capabilities, and an extensive sensor suite, enabling it to detect, track, and engage targets before being seen. Its network-centric design allows for integration into joint and allied command structures, providing unmatched situational awareness and lethality. Replacing the A-10 with the F-35A reflects a shift from platform-specific roles toward multirole flexibility, allowing fewer aircraft to perform a broader range of missions.
Jason Hughes, director of the F-35A Program Integration Office, stated that the testing conducted at Moody is crucial to shaping future F-35A deployments. The data collected during this event will directly inform decisions regarding ATC tower upgrades and resource allocations necessary for the platform’s successful integration. This reflects a proactive posture by the U.S. Air Force to guarantee operational readiness and to avoid delays as new aircraft are phased in.
Col. Paul Sheets, Commander of the 23rd Wing, highlighted that the tests underscore Moody AFB’s commitment to mission continuity and airpower excellence. The evaluation covered not only acoustic impacts but also the effectiveness of existing soundproofing, the resilience of communications systems, and the capacity of personnel to operate efficiently under new conditions. This aligns with broader efforts to ensure that every element of the base is aligned with the requirements of fifth-generation operations.
Moody AFB’s transition toward becoming an F-35A fighter jets base is emblematic of the U.S. Air Force’s long-term vision to retire legacy platforms like the A-10 and reshape its tactical airpower footprint. As the F-35A continues to take on expanded roles across the service, its introduction at bases like Moody reflects a strategic investment in future combat readiness.
