A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft escorts Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) in the Pacific Ocean, July 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley)The United States Air Force’s Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II has served as a close air support aircraft for nearly five decades. It was providing close air support to the USS Nebraska (SSBN-739), one of the United States Navy’s 14 operational Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Last week, instead of a support ship, it appears that the SSBN-739 received an Armed Airborne Escort, specifically the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is therefore likely this was a planned exercise involving the A-10 Thunderbolt II.