close air support

In 1981, the unit converted to the A-7D Corsair II, a subsonic jet designed for close-air support.

An attack like that, against a trained force of defenders with automatic weapons, would be almost suicidal, without some advantage-such as tanks or close-air support.

"That's when the close-air support came in and did a job on them," Colonel Hastings said.

He looked down at his notes and * 488 said, "I know it's a long shot, but can we get any fixed-wing close-air support?"

American and other allied combat aircraft, including remotely piloted Predator drones, now fly about 50 close-air support and armed reconnaissance missions every day.

That success, he said, was achieved by leveraging the power of Special Operations forces maneuvering covertly on the ground with close-air support.

It was being developed by Hughes Aircraft Company for use by the Marine Corps in close-air support of combat troops.

Some of these airstrips were later used by U.S. Marine Corps squadrons to provide close-air support during the invasion.

"They don't have the ability to do close-air support, artillery support or medevac flights," he said.

The Air Force, for example, wants to do strategic bombing, like attacking targets in Iraqi cities, but shuns close-air support of ground troops.