FORT WAYNE, IN - The U.S. Air Force is reportedly moving forward with plans to retire dozens of A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the “Warthog" aircraft, including those stationed in Fort Wayne.

The move means a transition back to the F-16 for the Indiana National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing.

In late June, Air Force Magazine reported that the 122nd would be among the first to see the retirements, with the change happening in Fiscal Year 2022.

Indiana Congressman Jim Banks, whose district includes the Fort Wayne Air National Guard base, told Fort Wayne's NBC television afloat that he plans to ask about the change next week during a series of high-level meetings he will be attending.

The 122nd Fighter Wing "Blacksnakes" flew F-16 aircraft from 1991 through 2010, when it switched to the A-10 Thunderbolt II that remain in service today.

The F-16 has been in service for nearly half a century. More than one thousand "Fighting Falcons" remain a part of the U.S. fleet of military aircraft and are deployed around the world.