Signs are mounting that the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Warthog, a veteran attack aircraft now nearing retirement, is preparing to deploy to the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury. With the jet’s operational career winding down, this deployment may serve as a final combat chapter for the aircraft, which the Air Force plans to retire by the end of the decade, if not sooner. The movement comes as President Donald Trump continues to issue strong warnings against Iran, threatening to target its civilian infrastructure and oil production facilities.
Publicly available flight-tracking data indicate that U.S. Air Force A-10s are poised to cross the Atlantic, supported by three KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft already airborne from RAF Mildenhall in England. These tankers are reportedly meeting a flight of eight Warthogs, including two spares, heading from the United States toward Europe. Open-source reports suggest that up to 20 A-10Cs have assembled at Portsmouth International Airport in Pease, New Hampshire, a traditional launch point for transatlantic flights to RAF Lakenheath, which has seen a significant influx of U.S. combat aircraft in recent weeks.
The aircraft appear to be drawn from the 124th Fighter Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field and the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. A-10s have long been known for their overland close air support capabilities, but in recent weeks they have also taken on maritime roles, striking at Iranian naval assets and militia groups in Iraq. This dual mission supports broader U.S. efforts to reopen critical waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed to international shipping due to Iranian actions.
As veteran Warthogs prepare to enter the theater, their deployment would provide additional capability for a potential U.S. occupation or blockade of Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export hub. A-10s could also offer close air support for special operations forces targeting critical infrastructure, such as Iranian uranium stockpiles, and for commando raids deeper inside Iranian territory. These operations would complement the existing U.S. air campaign, which has already targeted thousands of strategic sites, including missile facilities, underground storage bunkers, and military research centers.
Reports suggest that U.S. special operations forces, including Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, have already arrived in the Middle East, joining thousands of Marines and Army paratroopers. The elite 82nd Airborne Division has also been partially deployed, with elements of the 1st Brigade Combat Team and personnel specializing in logistics and communications sent to the region. These forces may support operations on Kharg Island or missions aimed at securing Iran’s uranium stockpiles, although specific objectives remain unconfirmed.
In parallel with A-10 preparations, two EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jets are reportedly en route to Mildenhall Air Base before potentially moving into the Middle East. The aircraft, designed for standoff jamming of enemy communications and radar systems, also possess secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Tail numbers 19-1587 and 17-5579, flying as AXIS41 and AXIS43, may mark the first operational deployment of the EA-37B, which is intended to replace the aging EC-130H Compass Call fleet.
The conflict has already disrupted regional logistics and trade. Iran has limited maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while Houthi forces in Yemen, acting on Iranian guidance, have threatened Red Sea shipping routes. Meanwhile, the United States and allied forces are working to restore navigation and secure global energy supplies. President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iranian targets, including Kharg Island, its oil production facilities, and critical civilian infrastructure, in an effort to coerce Tehran into negotiations.
Iranian officials have responded with strong rhetoric, including calls for Saudi Arabia to expel U.S. forces and warnings that further escalation could target American assets in the region. The Revolutionary Guard Corps has confirmed the death of senior naval commander Alireza Tangsiri in an Israeli airstrike, highlighting the increasing integration of allied operations. Meanwhile, commercial shipping continues to face hazards from missile and drone attacks, including incidents in Oman and northern Israel, where oil infrastructure has been struck.
Air defense efforts across the Gulf remain active. The United Arab Emirates has intercepted hundreds of missiles and drones since the start of the conflict, while Bahrain reports similar tallies. NATO forces have also engaged Iranian projectiles entering Turkish airspace, demonstrating the multinational dimension of the conflict.
Israel has continued its offensive, striking targets linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran and Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, including military checkpoints and urban areas. These operations underscore the regional scope of the conflict and the intertwined nature of U.S. and Israeli military planning.
The arrival of A-10Cs in England, alongside the EA-37B electronic warfare jets, signals a potential escalation. The Warthogs’ unique capabilities—long loiter times, precision strafing, and close air support—will be critical should the United States decide to conduct direct operations on Iranian soil or defend its forces against Iranian counterattacks. Meanwhile, electronic warfare support from the Compass Call aircraft could ensure that Iranian communications, radar, and missile systems are disrupted, enhancing the effectiveness of both air and ground operations.
As The War Zone has highlighted, the deployment of these aircraft comes at a time when Iran’s internal communications have been heavily restricted, further isolating its leadership. Combined with strikes on critical infrastructure and ongoing U.S. and Israeli operations, this suggests a high-stakes effort to degrade Iran’s ability to respond effectively while maintaining flexibility for potential ground or special operations missions.
The coming days will test the operational integration of A-10s, electronic warfare assets, and special forces in an environment where both conventional and asymmetric threats are present. For the United States, the deployment of these forces reflects a willingness to leverage legacy platforms like the A-10 alongside cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities, seeking to dominate the battlefield across land, sea, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
