As Flying Tigers A-10s are being deployed for the last time, the Maryland Air National Guard bids farewell to the Thunderbolt.

 

On 23 September 2025, The Maryland Air National Guard hosted an inactivation ceremony for the A-10C Thunderbolt II flying mission at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport (MD). Having operated the A-10 since 1979, and being the oldest Air National Guard A-10 squadron, the 104th Fighter Squadron "Fightin' O's", part of the 175th Wing, flew the last two out of Martin State Airport. Flagship MD coded A-10Cs 79-0104 as 104FS and 79-0175 as 175WG departed Maryland for the last time. A day earlier, A-10C with serial number 79-0087, was flown into Hagerstown Regional Airport (MD) to become part of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. Hagerstown is known for being the birthplace of the Fairchild Thunderbolt II and held the assembly line for every A-10 aircraft in production. For now and in the foreseeable future, it has been decided that the Maryland Air National Guard will not operate any aircraft.

 

On 24 September 2025, some sixteen FT coded Thunderbolt IIs arrived at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (NH), with a dozen transiting towards Naval Station Rota (Spain) before continuing being deployed to the Middle East. Having left Moody AFB (GA), the A-10Cs, a mix of the 74th Fighter Squadron and 75th Fighter Squadron, part of the 23rd Wing, are probably being deployed for the last time. At this moment, the USAF is divesting its Thunderbolt IIs with quick pace.

 

Having formed the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the following Flying Tigers were seen at Pease and at least twelve have now been deployed to the Sandpit:

 

 

78-0583 74th FS

78-0586 75th FS

78-0613 74th FS

78-0614 as flagship "23OSS" with tiger marks

78-0616 75th FS

78-0649 75th FS

78-0717 74th FS

79-0095 75th FS

79-0157 75th FS