A plan to transfer a D.C. Air National Guard F-16 squadron to Maryland has failed to take off. That means the state will be the only one in the nation without an Air National Guard flying mission after its fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt “Warthogs” is sent to the boneyard.
“The F-16s will stay with the DC ANG,” the White House said this week in a statement. “The Trump administration will continue to prioritize readiness and warfighting to achieve peace through strength for the United States.”
Under the Biden administration last year, the Air Force announced a plan for the Maryland Air National Guard to divest all of its combat aircraft in 2025 and fully convert to a cyber wing.
The 175th Wing currently has a dual mission: flying the A-10C Thunderbolt II and serving as home to the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group, which executes offensive and defensive cyber operations and includes an intelligence squadron.
“Our airmen, and the state of Maryland, should not be left as the only state without a flying mission,” said Brig. Gen. Drew E. Doughterty, Maryland’s assistant adjutant general for air. “The 175th Wing has proven time and time again that we are capable of adapting, leading, and excelling in every mission we’re given.”
Maryland National Guard officials said they remain committed to maintaining a flying mission at the 175th Wing. Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, Maryland’s adjutant general, said their personnel have flown the A-10 for decades, serving abroad and at home.
“While this divestment is part of an Air Force-wide modernization effort, we remain fully committed to fighting for a future flying mission in Maryland,” Gen. Birkhead said. “Our airmen deserve the opportunity to continue demonstrating their world-class skill in the air as well as in cyberspace.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the 175th Wing “one of the most advanced A-10 units in the Air Force.” They have more than 60,000 hours of combined flying experience and 12,000 hours of combat flying experience.
“We are disappointed to learn of the Air Force’s decision to hurriedly retire the A-10 mission across the nation … without a plan to retain experienced pilots and maintainers or to replace older systems with advanced aircraft,” Mr. Moore said recently.
The Democratic governor said he would work with Maryland’s congressional delegation to “advocate vigorously” to maintain the state’s flying mission — both in the interest of national security and the hundreds of jobs and families that would be impacted by the transition.
“Maryland is home to the nation’s most advanced cyber assets, and the expansion of the National Guard’s mission is further testament to the vital work our men and women do for our national security as our country prepares to confront future challenges and adversaries,” Mr. Moore said. But, “any new cyber wing must be fully resourced in order to build the facilities and train personnel.”
Several retired members of the D.C. National Guard sent lawmakers a letter earlier this year criticizing an earlier plan to transfer their F-16 squadron to Maryland control. They said missions flown by the F-16 and the A-10 are markedly different.
“A-10 pilots perform primarily air-to-ground missions, and therefore receive very different training, have very different technical skills, and do not focus on homeland defense missions,” according to the Jan. 7 letter to the top Republicans and Democrats on the Senate and House armed services committees.
The Air Force has been trying to scrap the A-10 for decades. However, backing by lawmakers in Congress has kept it on life support. The Idaho National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing, including its A-10 Warthogs, deployed last week to the Middle East.
“Readiness and training are our strengths, whether performing our state mission here at home or our federal missions abroad,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of the Idaho National Guard. “The 124th has a legacy of service to our state and nation, and this mission further cements our commitment to protecting the United States of America and securing our interests around the globe.”
