- U.S. Navy sailors aboard USS Santa Barbara conducted live-fire maritime gunnery in the Arabian Gulf during Exercise Killer Tomato with repeated close air support from U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog aircraft.
- The exercise reflects continued U.S. joint air-maritime training in the U.S. Central Command area, with the A-10 used for its sustained loiter and close coordination with naval forces.
United States Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet reported Sunday that Navy sailors aboard USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) took part last week in a live-fire maritime gunnery exercise in the Arabian Gulf, with close air support provided by U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, commonly known as the Warthog.
According to the command, the event—Exercise Killer Tomato—was led by U.S. Air Forces Central Command and conducted in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The training paired surface gunnery from the Independence-variant littoral combat ship with repeated A-10 support sorties to practice coordinated maritime and air fires.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said A-10 aircraft were used more frequently during the exercise than other fixed-wing platforms because of their established role in close air support and their ability to operate at low altitude for extended periods. The Warthog’s long loiter time, direct communications with supported units, and suitability for visual target identification make it a common choice for joint exercises focused on coordination rather than speed or stand-off strike.
The command stated that Exercise Killer Tomato was designed to improve surface gunnery proficiency while reinforcing joint air-maritime integration and combat readiness. Repeated A-10 participation allowed ship crews to rehearse command-and-control procedures, timing, and communications with an aircraft optimized for close coordination rather than high-speed strike missions.
USS Santa Barbara is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East, according to the Navy. The ship’s mission set includes surface warfare and maritime security operations alongside U.S. and partner forces.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed to provide close air support to forces operating in contact, using a combination of onboard sensors, cannon fire, and precision-guided munitions. Its continued use in exercises such as Killer Tomato reflects its role in scenarios where sustained presence, visual confirmation, and direct coordination with supported units are required.