A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 13, 2025. The aircraft remained on the flightline as maintainers prepared it for continued operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Moyer, 357th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft student pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 13, 2026. Student pilots conduct detailed pre-flight checks as part of standardized training procedures to ensure aircraft safety, mission readiness and effective execution once airborne. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Moyer, 357th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft student pilot, performs pre-flight checks at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 13, 2026. Moyer was the final student from the squadron to fly a low-altitude surface attack sortie in an A-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron conducts pre-flight inspections on an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 13, 2026. Crew chiefs play a vital role in sustaining aircraft readiness through detailed inspections and adherence to maintenance standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron fires its GAU-8 30 mm Gatling gun at targets on a range in Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. The aircraft demonstrated its close air support capabilities while allowing pilots to maintain proficiency during live-fire training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation, flies over a training range in Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. Range flights enable aircrews to maintain operational readiness and familiarize themselves with local airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation, flies over a training range in Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. The sortie included low-altitude surface attack training to maintain pilot proficiency and combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation, flies over a training range in Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. The training focused on low-altitude attack techniques essential to the A-10 mission set. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

Four U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation fly in formation after deploying flares over Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. Training events like these improve lethality and readiness across the Air Force aircraft inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)

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A-10C Thunderbolt II conducts low altitude surface attack sortie

Published Jan. 27, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona --

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation, flies over a training range in Gila Bend, Arizona, Jan. 23, 2025. The sortie included low-altitude surface attack training to maintain pilot proficiency and combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio)