Moody Air Force Base is bidding farewell to its inaugural A-10C Thunderbolt attack aircraft, which recently completed its maiden flight. Here’s What We Know On April 5, 2023, the renowned A-10C Thunderbolt, with the serial number 80-149, soared through the skies one final time, taking off from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
It embarked on its journey to Davis Monthan Base in Arizona. This specific A-10C Thunderbolt is the first attack aircraft from Moody to reach retirement age, boasting an impressive record of 14,125 flight hours.
In 2007, the Georgia base became the new home for 23 attack aircraft when it welcomed the arrival of 23 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from North Carolina. Subsequently, all of them underwent upgrades to the A-10C variant.
After serving dutifully for 43 years, the A-10 will find its new residence in the sun-drenched Arizona desert. The 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Recovery Squadron will preserve salvaged parts for potential use in repairing other Thunderbolt II aircraft.
Overall, the US Air Force is slated to retire 21 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in 2023. The fiscal year 2024 budget proposal includes plans to retire an additional 42 aircraft.