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Your observation was astute, but that is exactly why I referred to Korea. The lessons learned in Korea brought about the necessary changes. It didn't seem as if a response to a post about the Marines and the Air Force required a complete dissertation on the advance of forward observers and the advance in technology. Rather, it was a remark about how the Marines through the years have worked closely and in most instance on a timely basis. And it seems that back in Korea, the Fifth Air Force did not prefer low level close-air supports.

It would seem that if the Air Force becomes the only service with aviation, it could revert back to the days of Korea, whereby Marines could not rely on Marine close-air support at any altitude.

And with regard to Vietnam, it doesn't ring a bell; however, I am quite familiar with the conflict and remember it well as the war in which the U.S. troops won every major battle on the field and for their tremendous sacrifices, they got abandoned by Congress.

Oh, by the way, John Kerry served in Vietnam.

On your last point, I am not familiar with any amateurs who watch too, many movies, so I'll pass on that.

In closing thanks for serving.

Not a slap at you ("amateurs" or whatever), just a minor rant.

I think the evolution of doctrine and tactics and weapons make the USAF quite the service, with the capability to provide mission support across the spectrum. CAS has evolved and is much embedded in the core ethos of the Air Force.

The Vietnam reference was regarding the Air Force flying low-level CAS, down in the weeds because the weather demanded it and the munitions required it. I brought that up because of the apparent dismissive remark about "only" the Marines fly low-level CAS. BTW: Air Force CAS pilots, not a single Air Force air-to-air pilot, earned MOH's in that war.

Because of Vietnam we really changed the Tactical Air Request Net. Things changed dramatically and for the better, and after Grenada and Panama, we got better still. The TARN it is an evolving process even today, and we get better and better.

The Marines "own" their own air because of their limited engagement area. They are not deployed theater-wide nor are expected to operate beyond their immediate AOR. Having said that, OIF was really the first time the Marines were fully integrated within the modern ATO. The reason was simple: the march on Baghdad. Marching to Baghdad was deeper than the littoral area the Marines usually operate in. . .they HAD to be integrated.

Cheers