Twelve A-10s that were delivered to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in January have primarily been used to target Taliban revenue streams like narcotics trafficking, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Joseph Votel testified before a House panel on Tuesday.
January marked the first time in three years that A-10s have been delivered to Afghanistan. In 2017, Congress headed off the closure of three of nine A-10 squadrons by including $103 million for new wing production in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), who spearheaded the effort to retain the A-10 wings, questioned Votel about their performance during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday.
“The A-10 warthog was back in Afghanistan kicking butt in January,” McSally said. “Can you comment on the types of missions that they are doing and I know it’s a little specific, but as part of the shift in strategy it seems like we are now going after more of the sources of revenue? Perhaps overall in attacking the poppy industry and the drug making facilities and how is the A-10 doing over there?”
Votel confirmed that the A-10s were “doing great” and were in action within 24 hours of being delivered.
“I’ve had an opportunity to visit the squadron and meet the squadron commander, we are very very proud of what they are doing and they are doing the things we would expect the A-10s to do,” Votel said. “Part of our concept and why we are pushing advisor teams down to a lower level is so that we can bring capabilities like the A-10 to bear very effectively in support of the Afghan national defense forces. You are correct, one of the things that have been successful and we have tried to carry over from our Defeat ISIS campaign is going in after the revenue generation, and in this case, the narco-trafficking that is fueling the Taliban. This is a key focus for Gen. (John) Nicolson on our forces at this point.”
The Air Force has requested that Congress continue funding for A-10 production in the fiscal year 2019 NDAA.