I believe you, but I don't understand it. I figure if you've got it, flaunt it and the A-10 in the CAS role seems like a good fit for Iraq. Has the situation moved beyond the need for the A-10? Is the CAS role now handled by Predators alone? Is the A-10 too slow for the mission?
The A-10 offers no unique capability to the Iraqi theater that requires their presence. As I said previously, CAS is now being conducted almost exclusively from medium altitude using precision guided munitions, including JDAMS, which A-10's currently don't employ. A-10's are currently being used in Afghanistan, where they are using exactly the same tactics and laser guided bombs being used by other fighters in Iraq. I am a huge fan of the A-10 and always have been. It was the ultimate CAS platform when the best CAS weapons were dumb bombs and gatlin guns. But that time has passed. In Iraq, you need an aircraft that can get to the scene of an ambush or rocket attack very quickly, and employ ordinance precisely enough to destroy the target without damaging the hospital sitting next to it. You mention the Predator...unfortunately for guys like me, it really isn't a bad CAS platform, but still not commonly used in that role. But give it time. The Predator B can carry two 500lb laser guided bombs, and that gives it a lot more destructive power than the Hellfire missiles it currently carries. Much of the time in a CAS mission is used ensuring the pilot of the delivery aircraft is sure of the target he is being directed to attack. When the commander on the ground can receive realtime video linked to him from a remotely piloted vehicle from which he can precisely employ a guided weapon against a target he selects, then we have created the ultimate CAS platform. Those days are not far away.