Four A-10 pilots deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan for six months each just reached 100 combat sorties, and one of them is a sailor, reports Capt. Michael Meridith. Three Air Force Warthog pilots, Maj. James Barlow, Capt. Daniel Cruz, and Capt. Ryan Cleveland, and Navy exchange pilot Lt. Cmdr. Scott Craig, see their shared accomplishment as a representation of lives saved, being able to assist coalition ground forces. Barlow recalled his 100th mission, when he received a call from ground forces under attack and outnumber two to one. He said the enemy fled as the Hog came in.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
