US A-10 Jet And Warship Fire Weapons In Gulf Drill
The US A-10 jet took part in a live fire training with a US Navy warship in the Persian Gulf, as part of efforts to strengthen joint air and maritime skills.
Close Air Support Meets Surface Gunnery
In early February 2026, a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II provided close support during a live fire maritime gunnery exercise with the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara in the US Central Command area of operations in the Persian Gulf.
The drill was part of Exercise Killer Tomato, led by US Air Forces Central and US Naval Forces Central Command, and was designed to sharpen sailors surface gunnery skills and improve air-to-sea coordination.
Officials with US 5th Fleet said the exercise helped cement joint integration and combat readiness among forces operating across the region.
USS Santa Barbara Role
USS Santa Barbara, a high-speed Independence-variant littoral combat ship, is deployed to the 5th Fleet area and supports maritime security across the Gulf and wider Middle East.
The littoral combat ship class is designed for operations in coastal and contested waters with modular mission packages and a mix of sensors and weapons, including a 57 mm Mk 110 gun, .50 caliber machine guns, and SeaRAM for close-in air defense.
Air-Sea Integration In Practice
Official imagery of the exercise shows the A-10 alongside Santa Barbara during live fire, demonstrating air and surface units cooperating in weapons delivery.
This type of joint activity echoes broader US operational patterns in the Gulf and nearby seas, where Air Force attack aircraft and naval vessels regularly integrate in training to boost tactical proficiency. For example recent US Navy and Air Force maritime surface warfare exercises have featured A-10s conducting surface threat engagements alongside destroyers.
Strategic Context
The Persian Gulf region remains a central area for US maritime and air force presence due to ongoing security challenges and the importance of key shipping lanes. These drills contribute to readiness for a range of contingencies, from surface threats to joint response coordination.
US forces in the area routinely conduct integrated exercises to maintain interoperability across services and with partners. See also our coverage of US and Gulf partner drills aimed at boosting regional defense capabilities.
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