A-10 engine build marks closing chapter at Davis-Monthan

Published May 29, 2026
By Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.
355th Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

Inside the engine shop at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the sound of tools and sheet metal mark the end of a decade-long chapter in close-air-support history.

On May 21, 2026, Airmen assigned to the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron gathered with wing leadership to celebrate the completion of the final A-10 Thunderbolt II engine build at Davis-Monthan.

The final A-10 engine test at Davis-Monthan AFB. — Airmen assigned to the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron stand in front of an A-10C Thunderbolt II engine after successfully completing the final engine test at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 30, 2026. The test marked a key step in verifying the engine’s performance and ensuring it is ready to support A-10C flight operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

Airmen from the 355th CMS celebrate the final inspection of an A-10 engine at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. — U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 355th Wing gather to celebrate the completion of the final A-10C Thunderbolt II engine built at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, May 21, 2026. This milestone marked the end of a decades-long maintenance mission supporting A-10 sorties at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

“Some, if not all these engines have saved lives on the ground through close air support missions, and some have carried pilots home while the other engine was damaged,” said Master Sgt. Eugene Rich III, the propulsion flight chief assigned to the 355th CMS.

The A-10 has long been recognized for its close-air-support role, but behind every sortie is a maintenance force responsible for ensuring the aircraft is always mission ready. For engine Airmen, that responsibility begins long before an aircraft takes off.

An Airman performs maintenance on a A-10 engine. — Senior Airman Elliott Shull, an aerospace propulsion journeyman assigned to the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron, performs engine maintenance for an A-10C Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 30, 2026. Shull’s maintenance ensured the engine was in operational condition before sending it to the test cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

Building or rebuilding an A-10 engine is deliberate and requires perfection. A standard engine build typically takes 30 days, with a rigorous, multi-stage operation designed to ensure peak performance and safety. Each step is guided by technical data and performed by maintainers trained to identify, repair and prevent issues that could affect aircraft performance.

“All members of the shop put eyes and hands on this engine throughout the build, testing, diagnostic runs and final inspection,” said Rich. “Typically, only one crew of five would work on any one engine, but this engine has been touched by everyone.”

For Staff Sgt. Bill Bautista, an aerospace propulsion craftsman assigned to the 355th CMS who has been working on these engines for three years, the final engine build is bittersweet.

“I think the legacy of the A-10 is going to be remembered for generations,” Bautista said. “The A-10 will be missed here in Arizona.”

Airmen perform maintenance on a A-10 engine. — Staff Sgt. Bill Bautista (right), an aerospace propulsion craftsman assigned to the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron, shows Airman 1st Class Gomez Diaz (left), 355th CMS aerospace propulsion journeyman, how to utilize a borescope on the engine of an A-10C Thunderbolt II engine at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 30, 2026. A borescope is an optical device designed to inspect areas that are difficult to view directly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

That sense of history is not lost on the shop.

For half a century, Davis-Monthan maintainers have supported the A-10 mission through deployments, training requirements and daily flying operations. Since the first A-10 was delivered to Davis-Monthan in 1976, their work helped ensure pilots had reliable aircraft and ground forces had access to close air support when needed.

For the maintainers, the mission has always been personal. The A-10’s purpose is tied directly to protecting service members on the ground, and engine Airmen understand their work contributes to that larger responsibility.

For those lucky enough to build the beating heart of the aircraft with their own hands, the pride is on another level entirely.Master Sgt. Eugene Rich III

Although this closes out an era for the 355th Wing and the Tucson community, some A-10s are planned to remain in service until 2030 at Moody and Whiteman Air Force Bases.

The final engine leaving the shop signals the end of one mission set, but not the end of the skill, discipline and pride built by the Airmen who maintained it. Those qualities will continue to carry forward as Davis-Monthan and its Airmen transition to future missions.

Airmen test the performance of a A-10 engine. — A-10 engine build marks closing chapter at Davis-Monthan

Airmen assigned to the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron monitor an A-10C Thunderbolt II engine test from the test cell’s control cab at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 30, 2026. The control cab allows aerospace propulsion Airmen to safely monitor engine performance, communicate during the test and track critical readings from outside the test cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

The final inspection stamp on a A-10 engine at Davis-Monthan AFB. — A-10 engine build marks closing chapter at Davis-Monthan

Tech. Sgt. Logan Lamb, 355th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, stamps the final A-10C Thunderbolt II TF34 engine inspection form at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, May 21, 2026. The final stamp marked a milestone for the 355th Wing after 50 years of supporting the close air support mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr.)