US Air Force A-10 Escort Nuclear-Armed Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

The Fairchild Republic A-10, a time-tested ground attack fighter, has been assigned yet another mission to its expanding repertoire. On May 7, the US Navy (USN) released photographs of a quartet of A-10s from the US Air Force (USAF) providing escort to one of the navy’s ballistic missile submarines during a coastal strait journey.

The submarine, the nuclear-propelled USS Nebraska, was navigating through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a channel in Washington state that links the Puget Sound of the Seattle area with the Pacific Ocean. The navy has not elaborated on the purpose of the A-10 flight, stating only that the fighters, along with a US Coast Guard vessel, were assisting in the Nebraska’s transit to “guarantee that the U.S. military is prepared to fulfill its security obligations domestically and internationally.”

According to the navy, a formation of four A-10 fighters accompanied the USS Nebraska, a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, through the Strait of Juan de Fuca on May 6 to “guarantee that the U.S. military is prepared to fulfill its security obligations domestically and internationally.”

The Puget Sound is the location of the USN’s Naval Base Kitsap, which is home to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and 12 submarines, six of which are capable of being armed with nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles. While the nature of the cruise was not confirmed by the service, the Pentagon routinely maintains multiple ballistic missile subs at sea as part of Washington’s strategic nuclear deterrent.

The A-10, known for its low-altitude, slow flight, is being increasingly tasked with ship escort duties as the USAF seeks new roles for the iconic “Warthog,” which is considered by air force officials as too susceptible to modern air defenses.

For years, senior Pentagon officials have attempted to retire the Cold War-era tank destroyer, but have been largely thwarted by legislative resistance in Congress. Instead, the air force has invested in new wings manufactured by Boeing to keep the A-10 fleet operational.