The Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Texas, has announced that its 2026 North Texas Giving Day campaign will focus on raising funds to transport and preserve a retired A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the Warthog, recently assigned to the museum through the Government Surplus Property Program. North Texas Giving Day will take place on September 17, 2026, although early donations are already being accepted. This year’s campaign centers on what museum officials describe as the most requested aircraft among visitors. According to the museum, efforts to acquire an A-10 have stretched back more than a decade. An earlier attempt in 2016 appeared successful before the aircraft earmarked for the museum was returned to active service. Museum officials say circumstances have since changed, creating a new opportunity to add the aircraft to the collection. Click HERE to donate.
(Image credit: Fort Worth Aviation Museum)
The A-10 assigned to the museum entered U.S. Air Force service in 1982 with the 76th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Vanguards” at England Air Force Base, Louisiana. It later served with the 354th Fighter Squadron “Bulldogs” at McChord Air Force Base in Washington before being converted to the less common OA-10A Forward Air Controller (FAC) configuration during the late 1990s. Following the conversion, the aircraft served with the 25th Fighter Squadron “Assam Dragons” in South Korea before eventually being used as a ground training airframe at Osan Air Base. The aircraft was later transferred to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, where it currently remains. Before the aircraft can be placed on display, it must be transported to Fort Worth. The museum noted that moving an A-10 requires specialized equipment, including cranes, forklifts, and heavy transport vehicles. Donations collected through the campaign will help cover transportation, relocation, preservation, installation, and restoration expenses associated with the move.
(Image credit: Fort Worth Aviation Museum)
Museum officials also emphasized the aircraft’s educational value. Once displayed, the Warthog would provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about military aviation, aircraft design, and the pilots and maintainers who operated the aircraft throughout its service life. In addition to expanding the museum’s collection, the aircraft would serve as a resource for STEM education programs and help preserve an important piece of U.S. Air Force history. North Texas Giving Day donations will support the museum’s efforts to bring the aircraft to Fort Worth and prepare it for long-term public display. For more information and to support the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, click on this link: fortworthaviationmuseum.com.
(Image credit: Fort Worth Aviation Museum)
