The reason the Air Force has to eliminate the A-10 is because of devastating budget cuts to the military.
Sequestration, which does not end until 2023, forces the DoD to "pay for" almost 50% of all budget cuts. Entitlements (including unearned welfare) are exempt from cuts.
This equates to over $600 Billion in cuts over the next 8 years, and come on top of previous cuts (that were supposed to be over 10 years) of $487 Billion in 2012 and $330 Billion in 2010 - all on the backs of the military.
The % of GDP spent on our military is near historic lows. It is now approaching 2.8% of GDP for FY15.
Meanwhile, China and Russia have re-armed in recent years.
When these cuts were enacted, acted like they didn't care.
Wars these days are "come as you are." The P-51 went from napkin drawing to flying prototype in a little over 100 days. Today, it takes years to develop weapon systems. We have given pink slips to men and women in uniform who are deployed to combat zones. Thousands of DoD doctors, nurses, and medical professional have left in disgust.
Thousands of Civilian Medical Staffers Leave Defense Amid Furloughs
The Air Force didn't even have enough Operations and Maintenance money to fly its aircraft in 2013-2014 and grounded 11 combat wings.
Budget cuts leave Air Force pilots twisting in the wind
We went from 42 ready Army Combat Brigades to 2.
Sequestration Cuts Leave Army With Only 2 Brigades Ready To Fight: CSA Odierno
The military has not fully recovered from these cuts, and even worse cuts are now looming.
God help us if a real war breaks out.
