WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news:

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Last Warthog Clears Nellis Air Force Base Runway

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The last A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made its final departure yesterday.

Nearly 70 airmen assigned to Nellis Air Force Base lined up on the flight line to give the A-10, affectionately nicknamed the "Warthog," one final salute as it took off.