Report: A-10s will keep flying for near future

Published: Jan. 13, 2016 at 8:37 PM MST|Updated: Mar. 9, 2016 at 8:55 PM MST
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TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The plans to retire the A-10 attack jets that fly out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are on hold.

According to Defense One, a site focused on defense, the Pentagon decided the A-10s are too critical to the fight against ISIS.

At this moment, some A-10s are on the ground in the Middle East.

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally released a statement on the decision on Wednesday.

"It appears the Administration is finally coming to its senses and recognizing the importance of A-10s to our troops' lives and national security," she said. "With A-10s deployed in the Middle East to fight ISIS, in Europe to deter Russian aggression, and along the Korean Peninsula, Administration officials can no longer deny how invaluable these planes are to our arsenal and military capabilities."

McSally is a retired colonel who served 26 years in the Air Force and was the first female pilot to fly in combat.

The A-10s are the primary mission for Davis-Monthan and are responsible for the majority of the jobs on the base.

For the last few years, the Pentagon has tried to retire the planes to save several billion dollars.

However, the plane that would replace it is not ready yet.

The Air Force wouldn't comment, but Defense One reports funding for the attack jets will be in the Pentagon budget when it is released next month.

Arizona Senator John McCain also released a statement.

"I welcome reports that the Air Force has decided to keep the A-10 aircraft flying through fiscal year 2017, ensuring our troops have the vital close-air support they need for missions around the world," he said. "When the Obama Administration submits its 2017 budget request in the coming weeks, I hope it will follow through on its plan to keep the A-10 flying so that it can continue to protect American troops, many still serving in harm's way."

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