The A-10’s Final Departure From Maryland
Story and photos by Bryan T. Mangan
On 23 September 2025, Governor Wes Moore presided over the Inactivation Ceremony of the 175th Operations Group and the 175th Maintenance Group of the Maryland Air National Guard. During this ceremony, the final two A-10C’s of the 104th Fighter Squadron departed the Warfield Air National Guard in Middle River, MD for the last time. The ceremony allowed pilots, maintainers, and support personnel from the 175th Wing to say their final goodbyes to an aircraft that had supported and defended the State of Maryland since 28 September, 1978.
During the ceremony, Major General Janeen Birckhead, Maryland Adjutant General of the National Guard, and Brigadier General Drew Dougherty, Maryland Assistant Adjutant General – Air both spoke of the unit, its Airmen, and their legacy. Governor Moore spoke of how revered and respected the A-10 was during his combat service in Afghanistan, and his comments appeared to reflect the frustration of the members of the 175th following the inactivation of both the 175th OG/175th MG and the ongoing divestment of the A-10 from US Air Force service. Perhaps fittingly, perhaps ironically, the ceremony also saw the presentation to the 175th Wing of the Spaatz Trophy, recognizing the overall combat readiness and excellence for an Air National Guard unit during 2025. Despite the change of mission, the Airmen of the 175th clearly went out on top!
Two aircraft formed the backdrop for the ceremony and Governor Moore’s remarks, symbolically numbers 79-104 and 79-175. Attendees were allowed to walk around the aircraft both prior to, and immediately after the ceremony, and the unit was generous in allowing attendees unique access for the final departure ceremony. At this time, there will not be a follow-on aircraft to the A-10, and the airmen from the 175th will either transition to units in other states, or they will change jobs to support the Wing’s new cyber-warfare mission.
Following the ceremony’s conclusion, unit members assembled around the two aircraft as they departed the Martin State airport for the last time. Spectators and unit members were able to witness the departure, and were treated with a single flypast during which both pilots, 175th Wing Commander Brigadier General Richard D. Hunt and the Commander of the 104th Fighter Squadron Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Griffin rocked their wings in a final salute to the 175th Wing and its Airmen.
The decision to leave the A-10 without a replacement has been and will remain controversial in the years ahead, and it leaves Maryland as the only state in the nation without a flying unit as part of its Air National Guard component. There was some emotion associated with the departure, but the legacy of service and support left by the 175th Wing will surely live on as the unit continues to defend its state and its legacy via its transition to their new cyber role.
Thank you to Captain Sara J. Nittinger, Executive Officer, 175th Wing, for facilitating attendance for this event, and Master Sergeant Timothy Lutter for facilitating some of the images in this article.
Bryan is an aviation photographer based in Northern Virginia, a Nikon user, and a retired U.S. Marine.
