A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a mission over Afghanistan on May 28, 2018. The aircraft provides close-air support for coalition forces fighting terrorist groups. (Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force)
The Department of Defense requires a cost-effective and responsive method to protect U.S. forces called upon to contain the violent extremist threat while America confronts the reemergence of long-term strategic competition with China and Russia.