A-10 ‘tankbusters’ return to Estonia
The US Air Force announced last week that it will deploy another squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to Europe in support of NATO allies amid Russian military activity in the region. At least few of them will land in Ämari Air Base in Estonia on Monday.
The 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, US will send 12 A-10s, also known as Warthogs or tankbusters, as part of a security assurance to US allies in Europe.
Jaak Tarien, the Commander of Estonian Air Force, confirmed over the weekend that at least few will arrive in Ämari on Monday. He said that the necessary ground support equipment was already transported to Ämari last week.
“The logistics is in place, Warthogs will be here on Monday,” he told Eesti Päevaleht.
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a Cold War-era aircraft, developed in the early 1970s. But due to its unique purpose, designed solely for close air support, including tanks, armored vehicles and other ground targets, it is still in use. It has been reported that A-10's service life may be extended up to 2028.
Editor: S. Tambur