The U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a live-fire gunnery exercise with the Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf on February 2.
Last week, @USNavy Sailors from USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) participated in the @USAFCENT-led exercise Killer Tomato, a live-fire maritime gunnery exercise conducted in the @CENTCOM area or responsibility and supported by @usairforce A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. The exercise… pic.twitter.com/esO5BtCMKT
— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) February 8, 2026
The A-10 Warthog, introduced in 1979 and often called America’s flying tank killer, can reach speeds of up to 420 mph, operate at altitudes of 45,000 feet, and fly 800 miles on a single mission. It can carry a deadly loadout that includes a 30mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun and up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance.
The command said the exercise, called “Exercise Killer Tomato,” combined the LCS’s surface fire with repeated A-10 sorties to practice coordinated air and maritime strikes.
Command officials said A-10s flew more frequently than other fixed-wing aircraft during the exercise due to their proven close air support role and ability to operate at low altitude for extended periods.
The exercise reportedly allowed ship crews to practice command-and-control procedures, timing, and communications with an aircraft built for close coordination.
Santa Barbara is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security in the Middle East. Approximately two and a half squadrons of A-10s remain deployed in the region.
President Donald Trump earlier said that a massive armada, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group, has been deployed to the Middle East in response to rising tensions with Iran.
The move comes after the U.S. warned of potential military action in response to Iran’s handling of nationwide protests and its refusal to finalize a nuclear agreement. American and Iranian officials are currently negotiating in Oman for a potential nuclear deal.
