concering close air support, the USAF, on station, a gray dot in the sky. Marine Aviation on station..........

30 feet altitude, pouring heavy firepower, and the infantry can direct air support almost vocally. is marine aviation better for close air support or not? i ask again, would a trained infantryman make a better pilot for close air support, only military knowledgable people answer only and please keep an open mind

Public Comments

1. i like the a-10 for close air and the ac-130 a lot of af pilots serve with inf units as an air liason officer to call in support they then go back to flying with a better understanding of thier job. btw no one flys a jet 300 ft agl
2. The USMC pioneered close air support. Their integral air and ground units work seamlessly together. However new technology gives AIr Force basically the same capability. New trends in joint operability between the various services allows Navy, Air Force and Marines to deliver weapons on target, on time.
3. Depends. The air wings of the marines have the task of troop support, The usaf has a dual roll, air and ground, for CAS, the AF uses the A-10 and F-16, marines use the AV-8 and the FA-18. Both the A-10 and AV-8 are made to get low and in the dirt, where the other two are fast movers that can support ground and take on air threats. Both are good at task, but the FAC of the AF can bring a lot more firepower to the party if needed.
4. Not any better. Coming in at 30 feet may look and sound macho - but the troops on the ground do not care if they get an airshow. The fact is that the weapon of choice is the JDAM - which will arrive faster than an airplane making a strafing run. In the real world - the troops will call in artillery as this is even faster than using aircraft.
5. During the past 50+ years, the prime mission of the USMC aviation has been direct support of "grunts" Forward air observers (ANGLICO) are Marine/Navy aviators (on the ground) that direct the close air support of the ground troops, from any branch Throughout these years of specialization the USMC has done an outstanding job.