Just Changed R

A-10 Warthogs Enter the Strait of Hormuz — The War Just Changed

The Warthog’s War: How The A-10 Thunderbolt II Redefined Air Supremacy Over Iran

The Arrival Of The Low And Slow: A New Chapter In Operation Epic Fury

The skies over one of the most heavily defended nations on Earth have officially entered a new and unexpected chapter.

In a development that few military analysts predicted at the start of the conflict, A-10 Warthogs and AH-64 Apache helicopters are now operating freely within Iranian airspace.

These platforms are slow, loud, and fly at low altitudes—characteristics that would normally make them easy targets for a modern air defense network.

However, their presence over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz is a definitive signal that the country’s multi-billion dollar defense infrastructure has been gutted.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that Apache gunships are flying strike missions “at will” inside Iranian territory.

He also noted that the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II is operating without meaningful resistance from Iranian anti-aircraft systems.

The deployment of these “close-air support” platforms only occurs when an enemy has been stripped of its ability to challenge the skies.

Iran’s decades-long investment in a layered defense network, including the Russian S-300, appears to have been reduced to rubble.

Air Supremacy Versus Air Superiority: The Assessment Of CENTCOM Commanders

Two former commanders of U.S. Central Command have gone on record stating that the U.S. has achieved more than just air superiority.

Former CENTCOM Commander and CIA Director David Petraeus argued that the U.S. effectively maintains “air supremacy” over most of Iran.

This means the Iranian military has essentially no remaining ability to challenge American aircraft in the sky.

General Frank McKenzie echoed this sentiment, stating that the long-prepared campaign plan has systematically dismantled the Iranian network.

The removal of these defenses has given U.S. forces the opportunity to hunt for ballistic missiles and naval assets with total impunity.

While current military leadership remains cautious in their public claims, the operational reality on the ground supports this assessment.

Supremacy allows for the use of older, less-survivable platforms to perform the heavy lifting of destroying ground and naval targets.

The “Warthog,” a plane the Air Force has been trying to retire for years, has suddenly become the most decisive tool in the theater.

The Destruction Of The Shield: 80 Percent Gone In 24 Hours

The collapse of the Iranian air defense network was not an accident; it was the result of years of precise intelligence gathering.

According to IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, 80 percent of Iran’s defenses were destroyed or disabled in the first 24 hours of the operation.

This systematic degradation began months earlier during “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which punched massive holes in the Iranian radar grid.

By the time “Operation Epic Fury” was launched, Iran was left with only around 100 isolated and unintegrated air defense launchers.

The U.S. combined its physical strikes with one of the most sophisticated electronic warfare campaigns ever executed.

EA-18G Growler aircraft and space-based sensors were used to temporarily “blind” the remaining Iranian sensors.

This created corridors of safety where A-10s could enter and finish off the compromised defense units before they could recover.

The brutal irony is that the very platforms Iran built its defenses to stop were the ones that ultimately facilitated their destruction.

Hunting The Swarm: The A-10 In The Strait Of Hormuz

One of the primary missions for the A-10 fleet is the neutralization of Iran’s fleet of fast attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz.

These small, highly maneuverable boats have been used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to harass commercial shipping.

The A-10’s GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon, which can fire nearly 4,000 rounds per minute, is perfectly suited to shred these vessels.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kaine confirmed that the Warthogs are now “hunting and killing” these boats on the strait’s southern flank.

The aircraft are also carrying Maverick air-to-surface missiles and laser-guided munitions to destroy larger naval assets and coastal batteries.

U.S. officials claim that 92 percent of Iran’s large naval vessels have already been taken out of the conflict.

The result has been a 90 percent drop in missile launches from Iranian territory as production facilities and launch sites are systematically targeted.

The A-10’s performance in the strait has essentially dismantled the argument for the platform’s retirement in the near future.

Dismantling The Future: The Strike On Missile Production

The U.S. campaign has shifted from immediate tactical targets to the long-term destruction of Iran’s military industrial base.

Strategic strikes have been executed against critical nodes in the ballistic missile supply chain, such as the sites at Shahroud and Parchin.

These facilities are responsible for producing the solid fuel that powers Iran’s most dangerous long-range missiles.

By destroying the factories and the fuel supplies, the U.S. is setting the Iranian missile program back by several years, if not decades.

Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the goal is to “systemically dismantle” Iran’s production capability for the future.

Satellite imagery shows that at least 29 ballistic missile launch sites have been leveled since the operation began.

The A-10 has been central to these strikes, operating in the electronic “bubbles” created by Growler aircraft to reach deep-inland targets.

The strategy is future-oriented, ensuring that the regime cannot quickly rebuild its “missile shield” after the current conflict ends.

The Cost Of Supremacy: First Aircraft Losses In Two Decades

Despite the assessment of air supremacy, the events of the last 48 hours serve as a somber reminder that the threat is not zero.

On April 3rd, the United States suffered its first aircraft losses to enemy fire in over 20 years during a combat mission.

An F-15E Strike Eagle was brought down over Iran, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II went down near the Strait of Hormuz.

The A-10 pilot was successfully rescued, but the search for one member of the F-15E crew remains an active and ongoing operation.

The cause of the crashes remains disputed, with Iranian media claiming a strike and U.S. sources suggesting fire encountered during a rescue.

These losses highlight that even a “gutted” air defense network can still possess dangerous, isolated nodes like shoulder-mounted launchers.

The human cost of Operation Epic Fury now stands at 13 American service members killed and 365 wounded.

While the strategic picture remains unchanged, these losses underscore the persistent risk faced by every pilot flying over Iranian territory.

Ground Operation Planning: The 970-Pound Uranium Stockpile

The focus of the conflict may soon shift from the air to the ground as the U.S. considers a complex operation to secure Iran’s nuclear material.

The U.S. has been briefed on a plan to remove approximately 970 pounds of highly-enriched uranium stored in deep tunnels near Isfahan.

The tunnels, over 300 feet deep, would require massive excavation equipment and the construction of a temporary runway inside Iran.

This ground operation would introduce an extraordinary level of risk to American service members and could last for months.

President Trump has reportedly asked for the details of this plan as he weighs the next phase of the campaign.

In preparation, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has already arrived in the region, with the 11th MEU currently on route.

A second aircraft carrier has departed the U.S. East Coast to provide additional support for any potential ground campaign.

The assembly of these forces suggests that a transition to ground operations is being seriously considered at the highest levels of government.

The 48-Hour Clock: Trump’s Final Ultimatum

As the military pieces fall into place, the political pressure on the Iranian regime has reached its absolute maximum.

President Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face “all hell raining down on them.”

The strait remains largely closed, with oil prices staying above $100 per barrel and global shipping nearly at a standstill.

Iranian officials have publicly rejected the ultimatum, calling it a “helpless and stupid action” by the American administration.

However, the presence of the A-10s and Apaches flying unchallenged over their cities suggests a regime that is rapidly losing options.

If the deadline passes without a concession, the U.S. is expected to escalate the bombardment even further, potentially targeting the remaining 20% of defenses.

The economic pressure on the global trading system is immense, and the President has hinted at a plan to “take the oil” to resolve the crisis.

The world is now waiting to see if the regime will capitulate or if the conflict will move into an even more destructive phase.

A Legacy Of Survival: The Warthog’s Final Stand

The A-10 Warthog, a plane that was supposed to be retired by 2027, has found a second life in the desert of Iran.

Its performance in Operation Epic Fury has proven that there is still a vital role for ground support platforms in modern conflict.

The aircraft’s ability to survive ground fire and deliver devastating cannon fire has made it an essential asset for hunting drones and fast boats.

Retired commanders who advocated for the platform have been vindicated by its central role in achieving the current operational goals.

Whether the A-10 survives its budget-mandated retirement is now a subject of intense debate within the Pentagon.

For now, the “ugly” Warthog remains the most visible symbol of American air supremacy over a once-formidable adversary.

The skies over Iran belong to the United States, and the low-flying Thunderbolt II is the living proof of that reality.

The story of the century is unfolding in real-time, and the next 48 hours will determine if the war enters its most dangerous phase yet.