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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hoa Hao who wrote (3887)	7/28/2003 8:42:47 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793623

I agree wholeheartedly. SF absolutely has to have CAS (Combat Air Support) to perform effectively against larger units. The combination of infiltrating on the ground into the middle of large enemy units and being able to call for CAS has become devastating. I attribute that to small fast moving vehicles that can negotiate any terrain, night ops and the equipment for night ops, personal armament improvements and of course the incredible accuracy of USAF weaponry allowing for calls for fire well within the old "danger close" range. SFers are not afraid to call it in close...often pilots ask for their initials to confirm the fire support request in case the guys making the call get killed by the bomb. The new bumper sticker around Ft Bragg, NC says "Green Berets penetrate deeper, stay longer and carry a bigger load". uw

To: Hoa Hao who wrote (3887)	7/28/2003 9:15:43 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793623

it seems that Billy Mitchell's views on airpower have finally come to fruition. He never dreamed we would reach this level! I see that the Air Force is getting a female Secretary of Air. The Generals there are going to have to gulp twice on that one. What I love is that the huge breakthrough is really Close Air Support. And the Air Force Generals still don't want to do it. The multi-billion dollar planes they are building are not designed for it, and they are frantically redesigning their "mission profiles" to include it. F-15s, 16s, 18s, and Harriers have no "loiter" ability. They have to have constant refueling. And they could not deliver at low altitude in Iraq. The CAS plane of the war was the Warthog, and the Air Force wants to junk it. The F-22 Raptors and the Joint Strike Fighters are designed for the Cold war. They have no mission today.

To: Hoa Hao who wrote (3887)	7/29/2003 8:12:35 AM
From: RinConRon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793623

I really believe that Billy Mitchell's pioneering views have surfaced and resurfaced to the point of incontrovertibility. The brilliant British attack at Taranto geocities.com illustrated and validated Mitchell's belief by turning the naval balance in the Mediterranean in one brief action, while Yamamoto's assault on Pearl gave the same theory of air power the indelible stamp of history. Billy should be wearing 5 stars. But then again, so should I. <mega G>