Try as they might, the US Air Force has been unable to retire the venerable A-10 Warthog from its air armada. Essentially, Congress has consistently blocked previous attempts to retire the close attack aircraft, citing a lack of a viable replacement for its close air support (CAS) role and concerns about local jobs. While the Air Force views the A-10 as outdated for peer-to-peer conflict due to its lack of stealth, Congress has previously intervened to prevent its retirement by blocking budget requests and adding provisions to National Defense Authorization Acts. However, the Air Force has recently gained more permission to start retiring the fleet, with a plan to phase them out by 2028/2029, though this process was paused until a replacement was ready and has been subject to ongoing congressional debate

USAF Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 76-0530, 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Termites”, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, 1990 (1:72 Scale)

On October 7th, 1996, the 47th’s mission changed from combat to A-10 pilot training. Since that time they have participated in Operation Century Eagle 1999 & 2001, Saguaro Patriot 2001, Patriot Claw 2001 and Patriot Buccaneer 2002. During the first tactical and conventional gunnery competition open to A-10s, Hawgsmoke 2000, and the 47th took First Place for Top Hawgsmoke Tactical Unit, Top Overall Pilot and Top Overall Tactical Pilot. Then during the next Hawgsmoke competition in 2002, they won top A-10 Squadron in the world.

The school graduated approximately 45 active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve students per year.

In June 2003, the squadron deployed to Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi for Operation Patriot Pursuit.^[2] In April 2004, the 47th hosted Hawgsmoke 2004 at the England Air Park (former England AFB), Louisiana. There were 18 A-10 teams from all over the world deployed to participate in the biennial A-10 bombing and tactical gunnery competition. The 47th deployed to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida for Operation Patriot Gator the end of July through the first of August 2004.^[2] In 2005, the 47th deployed to McChord Air Force Base, Washington, for Operation Patriot Lightning, a close air support training exercise in conjunction with the Army National Guard.

In 2006 pursuant to a Base Realignment and Closure decision, the 47th gained eight A-10 aircraft and a number of full-time and part-time positions. In March the 47 FS won third overall out of 17 teams in Hawgsmoke 2006 at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. Also in March, they participated in Operation Atlantic Strike III, a joint training exercise held at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida with the squadron operating from nearby MacDill AFB.

As a training unit augmenting the active duty A-10 Formal Training Unit (FTU) squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, the 47th graduated about 45 active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve students per year.

1 October 2011, the 47th Fighter Squadron converted from a training unit to a combat coded unit. January 2012, the 917 Wing was inactivated. The wing’s B-52 squadron, the 93d Bombardment Squadron, was assigned to the 307th Bombardment Wing and the 47th was assigned to the 917th Fighter Group, which became part of the 442d Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO.

In September 2013, the squadron relocated to Davis-Monthan AFB.

In September 2024, the 47th Fighter Squadron won the biennial Hawgsmoke bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition.

While they may be retired sooner rather than later, you can still nab the latest rendition of the A-10 from Hobby Master in late November.