The End of an Era: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Says Goodbye to the A-10 Warthog By Aircraft Expeditions On July 29, 2026 , the skies over southern Arizona witnessed one of the most emotional moments in modern military aviation history. After nearly five decades of flying from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base , the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II , better known around the world as the Warthog , made its final landing as an operational aircraft at the base that had become synonymous with its legacy. For generations of Airmen, maintainers, military families, and aviation enthusiasts, this wasn't simply another aircraft retirement. It marked the closing chapter of one of the most respected close air support aircraft ever built. The Final Landing As the last operational A-10 assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron "Dragons" returned home, spectators lined every available viewing location around Davis-Monthan. Cameras clicked continuously as the familiar roar of the TF34 engines e...