Last A-10C at Nellis Air Force Base departs after nearly five decades

The last A-10C Thunderbolt II at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, left the installation for the final time on Sept. 22, 2026, bound for a new home. Its departure came about a month after the 66th Weapons Squadron flew the type's closing training flight on Aug. 18, ending its service with the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

According to the Air Force, close to 70 personnel lined the flight line to salute the aircraft, tail number 82-0658, as it lifted off. The jet had been at Nellis since 1977. Over that period it took part in the instruction of more than 300 A-10 weapons officers across roughly 100 classes.

The service said the aircraft's influence at the base would not quickly fade. Its tactical knowledge, operational missions and people are being shifted to multirole and more advanced fighter types elsewhere in the Air Force.

Lt. Col. Ridge Flick, commander of the 66th Weapons Squadron, said the close air support culture built around the A-10 is being carried on by bringing in personnel from other fighter communities. F-15 Eagle, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon crews are also being prepared to take over some of the duties the A-10 performed in combat search and rescue.

Members of the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit are being moved to other units and airframes, including the F-35 and F-16. Fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 are absorbing work previously tied to the A-10.