Highest-time A-10 Pilot Retires After 37 Years Of Service And 7,500 Hours In The Warthog | Aviation

With an unmatched 7,500 flight hours logged in the “Warthog,” Lt. Col. John “Karl” Marks set a record that is unlikely ever to be surpassed, as the A-10 nears its divestiture from the U.S. Air Force’s fleet.

Lt. Col. John “Karl” Marks has officially retired, marking the end of an illustrious 37-year career as the highest-time A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot in history: 7,500 flight hours, the equivalent of 312.5 days aboard the “Warthog”. His legacy as a pilot, instructor, and combat veteran will be remembered for decades to come. “Karl” had achieved the 6,000 FH mark in 2016 and 7,000 FH in 2021.

A Distinguished Career in Combat

Marks’ journey with the A-10 began in the late 1980s, with his early years flying low-altitude missions over Europe during the Cold War. At that time, the A-10 was focused on developing tactics to counter Soviet tanks, a mission that would evolve significantly over the years. As technology advanced, the A-10 became more sophisticated, integrating…

Source theaviationist.com