Don't "pointy-nosed" fighters also do CAS to some extent?
Army Retires UH-1
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
Don't "pointy-nosed" fighters also do CAS to some extent?
They do to some extent....but not as a primary mission. I'm using that in the context of fast planes that go fight other planes. It's the mission of CAS that the AF appears to begrudingly deal with, rather than truly want to do.
Low_Level_Hell
Well-Known Member
One downside of the Army owning A-10's is that Commanders don't always like to share. I've seen this many times myself in Iraq flying helos. There will be troops taking fire only a few minutes flight time away but our owning Command wouldn't let us brake off to support them just in case something happened in thier area while we were gone.
The AF on the other hand (I'm speaking from my limited knowledge of AF doctrine so AF guys correct me if I'm wrong) isn't attached to any ground command, pre-planned CAS being the exception. They realize that they have the ability to react quickly over a great area and manage thier assets that way.
In all fairness though 99 out of 99 times the US troops on the ground could handle what ever was thrown at them with or with out our help.
The AF on the other hand (I'm speaking from my limited knowledge of AF doctrine so AF guys correct me if I'm wrong) isn't attached to any ground command, pre-planned CAS being the exception. They realize that they have the ability to react quickly over a great area and manage thier assets that way.
In all fairness though 99 out of 99 times the US troops on the ground could handle what ever was thrown at them with or with out our help.
Low_Level_Hell
Well-Known Member
From what I've seen F-16's definition of CAS is dropping a JDAM from 15,000 feet.
The only time I saw A-10's employ CAS was a few years ago in Najaf. A pair of them got nice and low and wailed away with thier 30 on groups of bad guys. It was really impressive to say the least.
The AC-130, if you want to call what it does CAS, beats anything hands down.
Yes, CAS has taken a very wide definition as of late, what with all the various players wanting to get in the game....some so they can just remain relevant.
Generally speaking, in today's age of JDAMs/LGBs etc, CAS has become slinging these things from 15K. However in fairness, I have seen F-15Es and F-16s come down and strafe, which is always cool to watch.
Even heard a Space Command guy referring to "SpaceCAS". Uggggh.
And yes, AC-130 does some darn good work. Has limitations, like anything else, but very effective at what it does.