`So, close air support by rotary wing aircraft is now considered an “airstrike”? Who knew?
“Close air support” doesn’t mean that the choppers are hanging around. They are armed and firing guns and rockets in support of the effort. It is certainly an air strike.
And each projectile, from every aircraft.
And defensive flares, and each bit of chaff, and...
Air drop the jamokes to the location of any old ‘airstrike’.
They can comb the area for fragments.
All quite safe, for they will be among friends.
Some forms of stupid can’t be fixed
Agree! ...I’ve read many articles where the pilots said they had the enemy in their sights and were not given permission from D.C. to fire; then had to return to base with all armament.