The mythical A-10 Warthogs are dancing their last waltz on the beaches of Iran

This fearsome aircraft’s long flight time, precision firepower and resistance to small arms fire make it especially effective against small, fast-moving targets in confined coastal waters. But no one expected them to take action in Iran.

The infamous A-10 Warthoglong celebrated for its direct air support role on land, now plays a central role in the United States military campaign to dismantle Iran’s naval capabilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The mobilization of these iconic aircraft, famous for their fearsome rotary cannon and due to its ability to destroy armor in close-range attacks, it is probably one of the last, and perhaps most unexpected, chapters in the history of the Warthogwhich the Air Force intends to remove from service by the end of the decade.

During a recent press conference at the Pentagon, Gen. And “Razin” CaineChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the active role of the A-10, stating that the planes are “hunt and destroy vessels attack in the Strait of Hormuz” as part of Operation Epic Fury.

The declared objective of the operation is to total destruction of Iranian naval forcessays Caine, who added that more than 120 vessels and 44 minelayers have already been destroyed.

Although the A-10, whose full name is Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIis rarely associated with maritime operations, its pilots have been prepared decades ago to neutralize Iranian speedboat fleets in the Persian Gulf — a mission that has now become a reality, says the .

O long flight time of the aircraft, its firepower precision and the resistance to small arms fire make it especially effective against small, fast targets in confined coastal waters.

Just weeks before the current conflict began, A-10s were photographed in train alongside the USS Santa Barbaraa Navy littoral combat ship in the Persian Gulf — a clear sign of its maritime readiness.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been investing heavily in asymmetric naval warfaremaintaining hundreds of speedboats armed with short range anti-ship missilesartillery rockets and other weapons.

These vessels can also be used to launch naval minesand their small size and dispersed operations make them difficult to locate and neutralize.

To worsen the threat, Iran has used drone boats loaded with explosives. These unmanned kamikaze surface craft were developed by the Islamic republic and its allies in the region long before similar tactics gained ground. global attention on Ukraine conflict.

A-10s flying over the strait were photographed carrying laser-guided rockets 70mm APKWS II, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, in addition to the iconic 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon — which is often a harbinger that something bad is going to happen.

All these weapons are effective against maritime targetsand the Warthogs are capable of carrying additional precision-guided munitions not yet publicly disclosed.

Caine further noted that AH-64 Apache attack helicopters now operate with similar capacityalthough he did not specify whether they are attacking maritime targets. US regional allies have been using their own Apaches to shoot down Iranian drones.

At a time when the American campaign around the strait is intensifying, the US has recently begun using anti-bunker bombardment of 2,300 kg — believed to be from the new .

These super bombs were dropped on underground storage facilities that harbor coastal defense cruise missiles. Operations continue to target mine storage sites and naval ammunition depots.

The A-10’s role could expand further at a time when, according to , the US military is considering new options for reopening the strait, including one to temporarily seize parts of Iran’s southern coast and a mission to take over the control of Kharg islandnot Persian Gulf.

This may be one of the Warthog’s last major combat deployments, but it is far from being the least consequential. And for now, the terrifying aircraft, which some consider obsolete on the modern battlefield, is prove your relevance on one of the most vital waterways in the world.