Overview
- Twelve Idaho Air National Guard A-10Cs arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Oct. 7 and 10 after a six-month deployment to the CENTCOM area.
- Photos show the jet nicknamed Ares bearing two Shahed-type drone kill symbols and nose art, along with a LAU-131 pod carrying seven AGR-20/APKWS II rockets.
- U.S. Air Forces Central confirmed the aircraft were returning from CENTCOM but declined to provide operational details citing security concerns.
- The FY2026 budget filing confirms APKWS II with FALCO software is cleared for A-10 use, enabling a low-cost counter-UAS option compared with air-to-air missiles.
- Analysts say the markings offer the strongest public evidence to date of A-10s engaging drones, a mission aligned with the aircraft’s long loiter and low-speed handling strengths.