LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan’s congressional delegation isn’t ready to let the A-10 “Warthog” fly off into the sunset just yet.

Led by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), lawmakers are trying to keep the aging attack jets stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base through 2027 by blocking what they call an “early” retirement plan from the U.S. Air Force.

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Their goal: avoid a years-long gap between the outgoing A-10 squadron and the incoming F-15EX fighters promised for 2028—and keep Selfridge’s pilots and maintenance crews from being reassigned in the meantime.

“Now that we have the commitment for the new F-15EX aircraft, we don’t want the A-10s to go dormant early and present a gap,” Barrett told The Detroit News.

Michigan’s entire delegation—except Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit)—signed a bipartisan letter asking defense leaders to require a minimum 162-jet A-10 fleet and ban early retirements without congressional approval. Idaho’s delegation joined in, since its Gowen Field base faces the same issue.

The Air Force, for its part, says the A-10s have outlived their mission—a line that’s been repeated for more than a decade. 

But if Barrett and company get their way, the Warthog will stay in Michigan skies at least one more year.