Close Air Support: Proud Past, Uncertain Future

Abstract : This paper is about the debate over Close Air Support (CAS) -- the ability of airpower to place weapons exactly where and when the ground forces need them in a situation where the target selected by the ground forces is close to friendlies. A novel style vignette of a future European close air support mission introduces a discussion of the on going debate over close air support; whether it is practical and needed in the high-threat NATO battlefield. A description and comparative analysis of the planned employment of close air support and battlefield air interdiction missions is used to illustrate the impact of air defenses and the relative payoffs of these missions. The author attempts to establish the continuing need for close air support and therefore the need to improve command and control structures for this mission. Other needed mission improvements are also discussed. Keywords: Command, Control and communications.