U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, known as Warthogs, have entered maritime interdiction operations targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed during a Pentagon briefing on March 19, 2026, that the A-10s are engaged across the southern flank of Operation Epic Fury, “hunting and killing fast-attack boats in the Straits of Hormuz.”
This marks an expansion of the A-10’s role in the campaign, now in its third week. U.S. Central Command released imagery on March 15 showing A-10C Thunderbolt IIs receiving aerial refueling while supporting the operation. The aircraft carry a loadout including LITENING targeting pods, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, a 600-gallon drop tank for extended loiter time, and LAU-131 rocket pods with APKWS II-guided Hydra 70 rockets.
Designed for close air support, the A-10 features a titanium-armored cockpit, redundant flight systems, and a 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon firing up to 3,900 rounds per minute. Its low-speed, low-altitude capabilities enable persistent overwatch in contested littoral environments, countering IRGC Navy fast boats that threaten shipping and deploy naval mines, disrupting crude oil flows through the strait.
The deployment occurs amid congressional action preserving the fleet. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 mandates a minimum of 103 A-10s through September 30, 2026, blocking full Air Force retirement plans despite the service’s push to divest for F-35A modernization. Upgrades like Link 16 enhance its networked combat relevance.