MIDDLE RIVER, Md. — It was March of 2025 when Maryland’s Air National Guard gave up their treasured A-10 Thunderbolt planes.

The U.S. Air Force planned to retire the planes, 21 of which were stationed at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport.

Warfield was ordered to transition from flying missions to offensive and defensive cyber operations.

Air Force to retire Maryland National Guard’s A-10 planes in leadup to Cyber transition

On Wednesday Maryland Congressman Andy Harris said the Air Force decided to preserve the A-10 Thunderbolt II program through 2030, giving Warfield some hope they could get the planes back.

Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink made the decision amid an ongoing war in Iran, in an attempt to preserve the U.S. military’s combat power as aircraft production ramps up.

“We are pleased that the A-10 program is now being extended,” said Harris. “The Maryland Guard has extensive experience to bring to the table, and we are in contact with the Office of the Air Force Secretary to urge them to bring A-10s back to Maryland so our airmen can help defend the nation.”

Most of the people who shop at the Safeway on Connecticut Avenue in Kensington, Maryland would be absolutely shocked at what took place there during the overnight hours in early April.

It was a scene of absolute chaos inside the grocery store parking garage at 2:30 a.m. April 4.

Security camera video shows a man in a black sweatshirt with a white design, with a gun in his right hand. He walks toward a group of people gathered for a car rally and meet-up. The video shows muzzle flashes as he fires the weapon.

Two people were injured.

Police say 19-year-old Hermes Matewere of Laurel, Maryland is now charged with first degree assault, reckless endangerment and several firearms violations.

That shooting happened six weeks after another chaotic car rally Feb. 22 at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and East West Highway in Chevy Chase near the Columbia Country Club. Rally goers could be seen blocking responding Montgomery County Police cruisers as officers responded. One man sprayed a fire extinguisher onto an officer’s windshield.

“This thing keeps evolving, and before when the police showed up, they would run and run off to another area. Now, they feel emboldened for whatever reason,” said Assistant Chief Darren Francke with Montgomery County police.

Police released an image of one of the damaged police cruisers.

Police say 18-year-old Ayden Joseph Cline of Cumberland, Pennsylvania jumped onto a cruiser waving a lit flare and has now been charged as an adult with crimes that include reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property. Novorriya Gregory Smith Jr. of Lusby, Maryland, is accused of smashing the rear window of an officer’s cruiser and then pulling down his pants to expose himself to the officer. The 20 year-old is facing multiple charges.

Both men are being held without bond until their next court appearance.

A 17-year-old arrested in connection with the February melee was released to his parent’s custody.

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