CEP is an issue. For sure.
With the A-10 gun, for example, the mil dispersion is small (smaller than an Apache) and that means accuracy at increased ranges.
Dropping free-fall ordnance is best at lower altitudes, but we don’t drop much of that now. And if do so we must remain fairly high (relatively speaking) because of frag.
Free-fall munitions are actually more accurate with increased dive angle, and for high angle attacks you must fly higher.
For gun attacks and free-fall munitions think flashlight on the ground. . .low angle and the beam spreads out, is elongated CEP, whereas a higher angle delivery means a concentrated beam and more accurate.
We mostly drop JDAMS and SDBs, with some LGBs. Altitude is not a factor for accuracy when delivering those type of ordnance.
“Means he’s accurate and he cares enough to take the same risks we are. With Marines, we expect nothing less.”
Taking a risk just because does not add to the mission. Ever. If you can perform the mission accurately and do so while avoiding threat envelopes, the smart thing is to do so. Kind of like troops on the ground using cover and/or concealment. . .you don’t uncessarily stand-up and whack away. . .you mitigate the odds against you and as long as you can do the mission, hide behind a tree or stay outside small arms range. . .same-same.
No one has earned a MOH flying A/A, but many pilots have while flying the A/G mission. Most aircraft losses in combat are due to AAA, meaning most were flying the A/G (CAS) mission. Most POWS in Vietnam were USAF, flying A/G missions.
“You afraid to take this risks? Maybe there’s an opening with the airlines.”
Insults? Really? C’on. I expect a honorable exchange of viewpoints from a former Marine, not dishonable personal attacks.
Ah sheesh, now I feel bad. OK, I apologize. There is no reason to impugn the honor or courage of a brother in arms.
I'm just a temperamental old cuss. And I have seen the wrong treelines bombed and sometimes us and it had soured me a bit with the higher-altitude deliveries. The F-100 that bombed us near the DMZ was probably National Guard, not regular Air Force anyway.
I just exalt the really, really obvious heroism that I saw from my pilot brethren who were willing to get so damn low to be absolutely no-kidding sure that they hit where they were needed. We would actually cheer when they came in like a bunch of kids at a football game when they pounded the cruds so close they would actually fly through their own napalm bursts.
Thank you for you service.