The Air Force has never been very big on the A-10 or the close air support mission. They've tried to retire the plane several times. If they ever do, the Army would love nothing better than if the Air Force would turn the plane over to them. Current regulations forbid the Army from having fixed wing combat planes (they do have some fixed wing planes but they're serving in roles like light transports and reconnaissance.)

As a former grunt, I've always loved the A-10. Anything that can come over a hill and take out a tank that's trying to kill grunts is a good thing, even beautiful to the non-attacked beholder.