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Final A-10 depot-level maintenance
After several decades of sustaining one of the Air Force’s most iconic aircraft, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (ALC) is preparing to send off its final A-10 Thunderbolt II at the end of February.
As told by Kendahl Johnson, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, in the article Final A-10 prepares to depart Hill AFB, closing a defining chapter in Ogden ALC history, the departure of the A-10 depot maintenance mission marks the end of an era for the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which will deactivate following completion of its last A-10, closing a mission that has shaped generations of maintainers at Hill Air Force Base (AFB).
“This mission has been a point of pride for the entire complex,” said Brig. Gen. Hall Sebren, Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander. “The A-10 came to Hill because of the skill and dedication of our workforce, and it stayed here because that expertise only grew stronger with time. Our maintainers extended the life of this aircraft again and again, and they did it with a level of pride and professionalism that has become part of Hill’s identity.”
The Ogden ALC began performing depot level maintenance on the A 10 in 1998, becoming the Air Force’s primary location for structural repair, wing replacements, and major overhauls. The 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group manages A-10 depot maintenance and has overseen thousands of A-10 inductions over the years.
At its peak, the A-10 line at Hill employed hundreds of maintainers, sheet metal technicians, engineers, and logisticians. The team tackled everything from complex structural refurbishment to a major re winging effort that kept the fleet viable for many additional years.
A-10 depot-level maintenance: retirement of the Warthog fleet
“We have had maintainers who have worked on the A-10 for decades,” said Col. Ryan Nash, commander of the 309th AMXG. “They know every inch of this aircraft. They’ve trained generations of maintainers, and they’ve poured their hearts into keeping the Warthog in the fight. Watching the last jet roll out is emotional for all of us.”
The Air Force is executing a phased retirement of the A-10 fleet as part of a broader modernization strategy focused on preparing for high end conflict.
The Air Force is shifting its investment toward aircraft such as the F-35A Lightning II (already a major sustainment mission at Hill) and the forthcoming next generation air dominance family of systems. These platforms bring stealth, advanced sensors, and greater survivability.
As the final A-10 completes its depot journey, the 571st AMXS is preparing to deactivate. Many of its maintainers will transition to other missions within the Ogden ALC, including the F-35, F-16, and C-130 sustainment lines.
Hill AFB leadership commemorated the end of the A-10 depot mission with a small ceremony recognizing the maintainers, engineers, and support personnel who sustained the fleet for more than 40 years.
As the last A-10 departs the Ogden ALC, it carries with it the final chapter of a mission defined by grit, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment. The Warthog may be leaving Hill, but the impact of the men and women who sustained it will endure — in the aircraft they maintained, in the Airmen they trained, and in the future missions they will now help shape.
Ogden Air Logistics Complex
The Ogden Air Logistics Complex, with headquarters at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, provides war-winning expeditionary capabilities to the warfighter through world-class logistics, support, maintenance, distribution and engineering management for actively flying, mature and proven weapon systems. It is one of three complexes assigned to the Air Force Sustainment Center.
It provides logistics, support, maintenance and distribution for the nation’s premier fighter aircraft: the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt. In addition, it maintains the C-130 Hercules, T-38 Talon and other weapon systems, as well as the Minuteman III ICBM. The complex is one of the leading providers of software, pneudraulics, secondary power systems, composites and ICBM rocket motors for the Department of Defense. The complex is also the Air Force’s Landing Gear Center for Industrial and Technical Expertise, handling all Air Force landing gear and a majority of other DoD landing gear. Personnel in remote locations perform aircraft, missile and electronics maintenance, regeneration and storage.
The Ogden Air Logistics Complex employs more than 8,100 military, civilian and contract personnel at Hill AFB in 155 different job series. The complex also extends to 10 remote locations in the United States and Japan. The scope of responsibility includes cost, schedule and quality of depot repair; and maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification of Air Force aircraft, the Minuteman ICBM system, and a variety of commodities, software, and aircraft storage and regeneration.
The Warthog
The A-10 Thunderbolt II (dubbed Warthog by her aircrews) is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.
The Thunderbolt II’s 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to include tanks. Some of their other equipment include electronic countermeasures, target penetration aids, self-protection systems and an array of air-to-surface weapons, including laser and GPS guided munitions, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Photo credit: Cynthia Griggs / U.S. Air Force
