Posted on Nov 7, 2017
Improving Close Air Support: An Army-Air Force Collaborative Approach | Small Wars Journal
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An interesting article with some pretty good points. CAS is, sometimes, the elephant in the room that others want to overlook - maybe because it's not a "glorious" as air-to-air kills. But the boys on the ground swear by it.
Improving Close Air Support: An Army-Air Force Collaborative Approach | Small Wars Journal
Posted from smallwarsjournal.comPosted in these groups: 
Close Air Support (CAS)
Air Power
Joint Tactical Air Control (JTAC) / Forward Air Controller Course
Close Air Support (CAS) Air Power Joint Tactical Air Control (JTAC) / Forward Air Controller Course
Posted 7 y ago
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The standard Air Force mantra (which I disagree with) is to consider CAS as a second class citizen when it comes to airframes. A great example is the many attempts to retire the A-10 even though a reliable replacement is not available. Its all about fast movers first. The reality though is that ground pounders win wars. CAS is absolutely critical to success on the ground.
If I was in charge, I would move CAS to the Army (as the Marines do). But the AF will never give up any of its resources.
If I was in charge, I would move CAS to the Army (as the Marines do). But the AF will never give up any of its resources.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SMSgt Thor Merich I think there's something about the Army not being able to have Fixed Wing craft, or some such crap.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
Sometime back during the Vietnam War, there was an agreement between the Army and the Air Force that the Army would not have armed fixed wing aircraft. The agreement was pushed by the AF. It was all about power and funding. More politics getting in the way of getting the job done.
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SSG Stephen Gillard
Having been both on the ground and in the air with CAS. The ground forces certainly preferred the Army helicopters over the Air Force fixed wing. Not only do the helicopter guys normally have a background as being part of the ground force, which helps in understanding tactics and roles, but it helps rationalize the need for ordinance when it’s called for not when it’s convenient. Also, the optempo and priority of missions/assets of the Air Force seem to be a mystery even to themselves. CAS and anything helicopter related never seems to be a priority and is more of a chore for the drivers. Air superiority means nothing if you don’t have some place safe to land.
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