Pentagon doubles A-10 attack planes in Middle East as US intensifies operations: Report

The Pentagon is doubling its deployment of Air Force A-10 attack aircraft in the Middle East, even as Donald Trump has indicated he wants the Iran war to conclude within two to three weeks.

The U.S. Air Force is sending 18 additional A-10 Thunderbolt II jets to the region, where roughly a dozen are already operating. According to Pentagon officials, these aircraft have been used to strike Iranian boats and Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

The A-10, commonly known as the “Warthog,” is a close-air support aircraft equipped with a powerful nose-mounted cannon capable of firing 70 rounds per second. Its ability to fly at low speeds and altitudes allows it to remain over targets for extended periods, making it effective in both land and maritime operations.

These aircraft could play a key role in supporting U.S. ground forces in strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz—a critical shipping route currently impacted by the conflict—or Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the northern Persian Gulf.

Flight tracking data indicates that the U.S.-based A-10s have been transiting through RAF Lakenheath in England en route to the Middle East.

Military analysts suggest the deployment of A-10s indicates that Iran’s air defense systems have been significantly weakened, as the aircraft is more vulnerable compared to advanced fighter jets.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. has achieved sufficient air dominance to fly B-52 Stratofortress bombers directly over Iranian territory for the first time since the conflict began.

Videos circulating on social media show A-10s carrying out strafing runs in Iraq. Dan Caine confirmed that the aircraft are actively patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

“The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank, and is hunting and killing fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz,” General Caine told reporters on March 19.

Despite being a 1970s-era aircraft, the A-10 has remained a critical component of U.S. military operations since the Gulf War, providing close-air support to ground troops. It has also been widely used in operations against Islamic State militants in Syria.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.