The US has destroyed more than 100 Iranian vessels in the In recent days, within the framework of the Epic Fury. The key is in the deployment of a very specific aircraft: the A-10 Thunderbolt IIknown as Warthogcapable of fire up to 3,900 projectiles per minute and remain for hours over the combat zone.
The operation focuses on neutralize the speedboats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsused to harass maritime traffic in one of the most sensitive points on the planet. And it is not minor: about 20% of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
The A-10 Warthog: an aircraft designed to withstand anything
The protagonist of this offensive is not a modern fighter or a drone. It is a veteran, robust aircraft designed for direct combat.
He A-10 Thunderbolt II was designed for close air support. Your mission: fly low, slow and close to the enemy. Just the opposite of traditional fighters. And that gives it a key advantage in scenarios like the Strait of Hormuz.
It has a characteristic that defines it: its cannon GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm, capable of firing up to 3,900 rounds per minute. Added to this are missiles AGM-65 Maverick and laser-guided rockets APKWS.
This arsenal makes it an ideal platform to attack small, fast and difficult to intercept vessels, such as those used by Iran.
But it’s not just a question of power. He A-10 It also stands out for its resistance. Its armored titanium cabin—known like the ‘titanium bathtub’— and its redundant systems allow it to continue flying even after receiving hits.
Hours in the air: the advantage that makes the difference
One of the most important factors in this operation is not only the ability to remain in flight. “He A-10 “It can stay in the air for hours, ready to execute a mission when necessary.”said the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
This allows constant surveillance over the strait, something that other faster aircraft cannot do as effectively. In an environment where threats appear and disappear quickly, that continuous presence is key. In fact, images published on March 15 showed these planes refueling in mid-flightconfirming his active role in the operation.
More than 100 boats destroyed
The most relevant information was given by the US military command itself. According to Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM: “We will continue to rapidly reduce the to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz.”
So far, more than 100 Iranian vessels have been destroyed, mainly speedboats used in saturation tactics against commercial and military ships.
General Dan Caine of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also confirmed that the A-10 is specifically deployed on the southern flank for these types of missions.
Why the Strait of Hormuz is key
He Strait of Hormuz It is not just any point on the map. It is one of the most important energy bottlenecks in the world.
Every day, millions of barrels of oil pass through this maritime passage that connects the Persian Gulf with the rest of the planet. Any alteration has a direct impact on the energy markets and the global economy.
Approximately one in every five barrels of oil in the world passes through here.
Therefore, any military tension in the area triggers international concern.
A plane that Congress has decided to keep
The deployment of A-10 It comes at a key moment. The US Air Force had been trying to phase it out for years. However, Congress has stopped that plan.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 requires maintaining at least 103 active units until September of that year. The reason is clear: Despite its age, the A-10 remains irreplaceable in certain scenarios. And the operation in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates this again.
For now, The Pentagon has not detailed the exact number of missions or attacks carried out by these planes. But the partial balance makes clear the scope of the offensive.
Beyond the numbers, what is evident is the central role of this aircraft in a conflict that directly affects global energy security.
In a time dominated by drones and cutting-edge fighters, the A-10 demonstrates something uncomfortable for many strategists: the most modern is not always the most effective.
