**Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Undergoes Major Transformation with A-10 Departure and Special Operations Influx**
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona is currently experiencing a significant strategic realignment, as the venerable A-10 Warthog fleet concludes nearly five decades of operations at the installation, paving the way for the accelerated arrival of a new U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) wing. This dual-track transformation underscores the U.S. military’s ongoing efforts to modernize its forces and adapt to evolving national defense priorities.
The 492nd Special Operations Wing, currently based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, is projected to complete its relocation to Davis-Monthan by fiscal year 2028, a timeline that represents an acceleration of nearly three years compared to the original plan for full operational capability in fiscal year 2031. This expedited schedule highlights the urgency with which AFSOC is moving to enhance its capabilities and strategic positioning.
Upon its full establishment at Davis-Monthan, the 492nd SOW will shed its previous designation as a training wing. It is being reimagined as a “power projection wing,” a designation that signifies its readiness to conduct a broad spectrum of critical special operations missions. These missions will include precision strikes, agile mobility operations, extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, and other specialized tactical engagements essential for modern warfare. This shift emphasizes a move towards more direct operational readiness and global reach.
The relocation is being executed in a carefully phased approach to minimize disruption to military personnel and their families. An initial detachment for the 492nd was established at Davis-Monthan in the fall of 2024, laying the groundwork for the wing’s broader move. The new headquarters for the 492nd is slated to stand up in the summer of 2027, followed by additional key units. These include the 492nd Special Operations Theater Air Operations Squadron, the 319th Special Operations Squadron, and an Air Combat Command intelligence squadron, which is yet to be formally activated. These units are expected to transition to the base in successive phases through 2028.
The complete relocation will involve the transfer of more than 1,300 military and civilian positions to Davis-Monthan. AFSOC spokespersons have indicated that this phased strategy is specifically designed to support Airmen and their families throughout the transition period, ensuring continuity and minimizing personal impact.
In addition to the confirmed moves, Davis-Monthan has also been identified as the preferred location for the 34th and 20th Special Operations Squadrons, as well as the 20th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. A final decision regarding these units, however, has not yet been formally announced.
The operational transformation extends to the aircraft fleet as well. The 319th and 34th squadrons, which currently operate the U-28 Draco, will transition to flying the OA-1K Skyraider II at Davis-Monthan. Furthermore, CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft are also designated to move to the Arizona base, though the precise number of aircraft involved in these transfers is still undergoing determination. AFSOC has affirmed that no units will be deactivated as part of this process, and close coordination is being maintained with Davis-Monthan’s incumbent 355th Wing to facilitate a seamless transition and integration of forces.
This comprehensive restructuring is part of a deliberate strategy by AFSOC to develop a precisely tailored mixture of capabilities within its wings. The stated objective is to ensure optimal alignment with the broader U.S. Department of Defense’s strategic vision and the ability to effectively meet National Defense Strategy priorities in a complex global security environment.
End of Five Decades of the Warthog
Coinciding with AFSOC’s strategic repositioning, Davis-Monthan is simultaneously marking the conclusion of nearly five decades of A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) operations. The base’s remaining A-10s, which at their peak numbered 78, officially completed their “fini flight”—a ceremonial final flight—during a special ceremony held on July 29.
Following the ceremony, three of Davis-Monthan’s last four A-10s departed for Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, on August 5. These aircraft will be used to replace older Warthogs slated for divestment at Moody. The final A-10 from Davis-Monthan is expected to join them in Georgia within the coming weeks. All other A-10s previously stationed at Davis-Monthan were retired by mid-July and transferred to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, commonly known as “the Boneyard,” located near Tucson. The Boneyard serves as a massive storage and recycling facility for military aircraft.
The retirement of the A-10s from Davis-Monthan is part of a broader Air Force initiative to reduce and eventually fully retire its entire fleet of these venerable attack planes. The A-10 was initially designed in the 1970s as a dedicated tank-killer, intended to counter Soviet armored divisions during the Cold War. However, it gained widespread recognition for its exceptional performance in providing close air support (CAS) to ground troops in conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its distinctive low-and-slow flying style, formidable armored frame, and devastating GAU-8 Avenger gatling gun made it uniquely suited for this role, earning it immense appreciation from ground forces.
Despite its storied history, the Air Force has long expressed concerns about the A-10’s survivability in potential conflicts against sophisticated, high-end adversaries equipped with advanced air defense systems. This concern has driven the service’s persistent efforts to retire the platform and reallocate resources towards more modern, multi-role aircraft capable of operating in contested airspace. Historically, these divestment plans met with significant resistance from the U.S. Congress, which often championed the A-10’s unparalleled CAS capabilities.
In recent years, Congress has gradually conceded to the Air Force’s arguments, granting permission for A-10 retirements. The service initially aimed to divest its remaining approximate 162 Warthogs by 2029 or potentially sooner. However, following the launch of the Iran war (as stated in the original text, though often interpreted in broader geopolitical contexts as a re-evaluation of force structure needs in a contested global environment), the Air Force announced a decision to retain three remaining squadrons of A-10s until at least 2030, indicating a tactical adjustment to ongoing strategic requirements.
With the departure of the A-10s, the 355th Operations Group at Davis-Monthan, which once housed 550 personnel, is now operating with a skeleton crew of fewer than a dozen Airmen. The four units that previously carried out A-10 missions—the 355th, its 357th Fighter Squadron, the 355th Training Squadron, and the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron—are scheduled for inactivation on September 18.
Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer, commander of the 355th Operations Group, piloted the A-10 that performed the farewell flight at Davis-Monthan. In a long-standing aviation tradition, family and friends ceremonially sprayed Dwyer with water upon his landing, marking a bittersweet end to his association with the aircraft and its mission at the base. In a July 31 statement, Dwyer reflected on the profound change: “We’ve always had A-10s on the ramp; for the last 50 years they’ve been on the ramp. To see the sunshades get torn down, to see the jets divest, fewer and fewer A-10s out there … it’s definitely bittersweet.” His words encapsulate the emotional weight of witnessing the end of an era for both the base and the Air Force.
Why This Matters
The comprehensive transformation occurring at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is more than just a logistical exercise; it represents a microcosm of the larger strategic shifts underway within the U.S. military. This dual evolution—the retirement of a beloved legacy aircraft and the rapid induction of advanced special operations capabilities—has profound implications for national defense, global security, and the local economy.
Firstly, the divestment of the A-10 Warthog fleet, while met with nostalgia and debate, signifies the Air Force’s unwavering commitment to modernization and its pivot towards preparing for potential conflicts with peer or near-peer adversaries. The A-10, though exceptional in permissive air environments, is deemed vulnerable against modern integrated air defense systems. By retiring these aircraft, the Air Force frees up resources—both financial and personnel—to invest in next-generation platforms, advanced technologies, and multi-domain capabilities deemed essential for future warfare. This move reflects a strategic calculation that survivability and multi-role versatility are paramount in highly contested environments.
Secondly, the accelerated relocation of the 492nd Special Operations Wing to Davis-Monthan underscores the growing importance of special operations forces (SOF) in the U.S. National Defense Strategy. Transforming into a “power projection wing” means this unit will be poised for rapid deployment and execution of complex missions, ranging from direct action and unconventional warfare to critical intelligence gathering, across various global theaters. The strategic location of Davis-Monthan in the American Southwest provides enhanced readiness and logistical advantages for operations spanning the Pacific, Middle East, and other regions. This enhancement of AFSOC capabilities is crucial for addressing diffuse threats, supporting allies, and responding to crises with precision and agility in an increasingly volatile world.
Thirdly, this transformation will have a significant impact on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base itself, redefining its operational identity. From a base historically synonymous with close air support, it will evolve into a pivotal hub for special operations. This change will affect everything from infrastructure development and training protocols to the base’s overall strategic mission. The influx of over 1,300 personnel and specialized aircraft will also have a substantial economic impact on the local community in Tucson, Arizona, bringing new jobs, families, and demands for local services.
Finally, the “bittersweet” sentiment expressed by Lt. Col. Rodney Dwyer captures the human element inherent in such large-scale military reconfigurations. While strategic imperatives drive these decisions, they invariably involve profound changes for the service members and their families who have dedicated their careers to these platforms and missions. The ongoing balance between honoring a legacy of service and embracing the necessity of strategic adaptation will remain a defining characteristic of the U.S. military’s evolution in the years to come. This transition at Davis-Monthan is a clear indicator of the Air Force’s enduring commitment to maintaining its edge in a constantly shifting global security landscape.