MIDDLE RIVER, Md. -- The Maryland Air National Guard hosted an inactivation ceremony for the A-10C Thunderbolt II flying mission at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport, September 23, 2025, before the final two aircraft departed as part of the U.S. Air Force divestment.
Governor Wes Moore, Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, adjutant general for Maryland, and Brig. Gen. Drew Dougherty, assistant general for Air, spoke during the ceremony, which formally inactivated the 175th Operations Group, the 175th Maintenance Group, and all subordinate units.
“Today, we honor over a century of Airmen who raised their hands to wear the uniform, and pay tribute to an incredible aircraft that has helped to write our nation’s history,” said Gov. Moore. “Nobody understands the importance of these aircraft better than the men and women of the 175th Wing, who bear the standard for the path forward: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do. And while I never had the honor of deploying our A-10s as governor, I am very proud to be the governor who is able to say: job well done.”
In March 2024, the U.S. Air Force announced a plan for the Maryland Air National Guard to divest all of the A-10s assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron by the end of this fiscal year. The last two A-10s will be transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard this week.
The 104th Fighter Squadron was one of the oldest Air National Guard flying units, tracing its heritage back more than 100 years. Airmen of the 175th Operations Group and 175th Maintenance Group had nine combat deployments in 25 years, including the last one in 2024.
“Thank you to every Airman who has worn these patches, turned wrenches on these jets, flown these missions, and given so much of themselves to this noble calling,” said Dougherty during his remarks. “You will always be part of the proud history of the Maryland Air National Guard, these two outstanding Groups, and you will always carry on our proud and distinguished legacy.”
Since 2013, Airmen from both groups have supported five A-10 mobilizations to Estonia through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program and many other European NATO nations to deter Russian aggression.
In fiscal year 2023, the 175th Maintenance Group achieved a 71.3% mission-capable rate, which was higher than the Air Force-wide average across all fighter types. The National Guard Association of the United States recognized Maryland as the top flying unit in the entire Air National Guard by awarding the Spaatz Trophy at their annual conference last month.
During the ceremony, Col. Chris Palmer, commander of the 175th Operations Group, and Col. Jason Burns, commander of the 175th Maintenance Group, participated in the furling and traditional casing of the groups’ guidons as a symbolic farewell to the units’ lineage and heritage.
The A-10 is most well-known for its close air support on the battlefield, as it protected U.S. service members and friendly forces with its 30mm GAU-8A Gatling gun and other munitions. It is why it was one of the most beloved aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's history.
“When we walk away today, I want you to remember just one critical idea,” said Birckhead, speaking to the Airmen in attendance. “Those words about mission readiness, combat reputation, contributions in war and peace; those words do not describe the machine that is the A-10. They describe the Airmen and women, the pilots, the comm techs, the fuel handlers, the maintainers. You created the 175th Wing’s reputation. You are the heart of the A-10 legacy.”