Don’t you think the ugly A-10 (my fave) would be a great asset to the Corps? I was bummed when my son said the Marines don’t use them (he had been on his way to Afghanistan). Doesn’t the AF ever do anything for the Corps? Aren’t they supposed to work together? Must be the Marines not asking, eh?
Interesting articles...
http://wethearmed.com/military-and-law-enforcement/the-a-10-close-air-support-myths-and-procurement-politics/
http://www.janes.com/article/31464/usaf-presses-case-for-a-10-cuts
I wonder, if the USAF isn’t; sweeping the skies of enemy aircraft, dropping bombs on the enemy, strafing the enemy, providing satellite recon to the ground troops, providing UAV and U2 intel to the ground troops, what, exactly, is the USAF doing then?
Aren’t all of the above and the numerous other roles they perform in DIRECT support of any US ground troops whether they be USMC or US Army?
When a bomb craters an enemy position, who is the “benefactor”? The USAF or the ground troops? When an F16 is called in by a USAF FAC and drops a load of bombs on Iraqis “danger close”, who are they supporting?
The “Airpower” mission for the USAF is a multi role effort...fighters gain and maintain control over the airspace. Fighters and bombers come in to DIRECTLY support the advance of the ground troops. ISR provides accurate and timely intelligence to Commanders in the field.
Yeah, maybe the USMC aren’t asking or maybe they have USMC aviation or Army helos in the area to provide the support.
Don’t know, but I really tire of this peristent maligning of the USAF when it is unwarranted.
Another article of “interest”...one where the AF “didn’t do anything for the Corps” except lose an entire crew of an AC-130.
http://astroguyz.com/2009/02/19/the-downing-of-spirit-03-did-the-moon-play-a-role/
I do believe that it would be a great asset to the Corps. As far a air-ground support it would provide a third arm to support the Marines in the mud. They would have attack helicopters which are slower but agile and able to fly NOE as well as lingering lower than an airframe. They’d have the Harrier which can provide faster arrival in the area and can do some heavier damage and can be launched or recovered on a minimum site as opposed to a carrier or fixed runway. The third would be the A-10 which has the protection, loiter time and better precision in hitting the ground targets. A great combination used separately according to the needs or in unison. The way they are built, they could conceivably be modified to be a usable deck-banger.
The AF frequently has supported the Army and the Corps in A-G support missions but more often the Corps brings in their own assets first because they exclusively train to support the ground mission. The A-10s, fighters and bombers where necessary as well as gunship and special ops support.
The current crop of fighter jocks in charge just don’t like and never have liked the slow and less glamorous Hog. It’s mission requires something more than the 15-year old sexy hero mentality that many fighter jocks have.