Accession Number:

ADA516342

Title:

Close Air Support: Which Way Do We Go?

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Garrett, Thomas

Report Date:

1990-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

16.0

Abstract:

One can hardly pick up a publication in the defense arena these days without seeing an article on close air support. The need to replace the aging A-10 ground attack fighter-the Warthog-has fanned the flames of a controversy that has smoldered since World War II. Under the new spirit of jointness ushered in by Goldwater-Nichols, the word from the Chairman sounded sensible. On 2 November 1989, the new Chairman, General Colin Powell, forwarded a new roles and functions report, reversing Crowes position on CAS and supporting the Army and Air Force service chiefs. Why all this energy surrounding the close air support mission Is CAS broken Are the customers not satisfied Is the notion of close air support obsolete This article will survey the close air support debate and offer a perspective.

Descriptors:

• *TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT
• CLOSE SUPPORT
• COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
• MISSIONS
• ARMY PLANNING
• ATTACK AIRCRAFT
• FLAMES
• ARMY OPERATIONS
• COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE