"A-10s Over Syria, Back to Old School Air Operations" Topic

A squadron of A-10 tank destroyers have replaced the F-16s originally deployed to Incirlik, Turkey to combat ISIS in Syria. One of their major operations is to interdict the oil being smuggled by ISIS in Operation Tidal Wave II.

A-10s, supported by 2 Spectre gunships recently destroyed 116 oil tankers used to smuggle the oil in bombing and strafing runs.

I think A-10s are effective weapons because they operate low enough to bring fear & dread to the enemy. They really should have noise generators like Stukas had in WWII.

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Ah, Spectre I remember footage from Panama of a Spectre cutting down Palm trees with the 105

When I lived in Johnson County, Missouri, A-10s stationed in Kansas City, MO (Either a Reserve or National Guard unit) flew low over my place twice a day. Usually a pair and now and then they got a bit feisty and played games with each other. A-10s have a noise signature all their own even in level flight at a steady speed. Every time I heard that unique whine I went outside to watch them fly right over my house at what seemed a very low altitude. If they got bored just putting in flight time and maneuvered that unique whine changed pitch. If one of those suckers was making a gun run you would certainly hear it coming and then "rrrrrrrip" your world turns inside out.

Let's see the F-35 do that.

Oh wait, did the F-35 pass the cannon-firing test yet?

I seem to recall a headline they conducted one, but didn't bother reading the article. Hope the software worked properly.

One risk will be the possibility of ISIS capturing a downed pilot as ground ops are very risky I hope that he A10s are being supported by an adequate rescue capability.

Are these US Army planes as I heard that the USAF was trying to get control of the A10s?

They fired 100 rounds through the F-35 gun by over-riding the fire control system since it does not work.

Toronto,

I guarantee you that there are PLENTY of S & R guys on standby when the A-10's(or any other A/C) are in the air.

As for the A-10's, they belong to the AF, who keeps trying to retire them for some reason. The Army is forbidden from having fixed-wing A/C.

I agree with Blackhorse. And I hope to hear of more use of the AC-130s and A-10. It has become clear, that to do the job, the entire elimination of CD is impossible. The Enemy sets up in civilian areas. Because they know of the US/NATO's fear of CD. For this air campaign to be more effective, we have to loosen up ROE. Yes, there will be more CD, but there will be more damage to the enemy. That is just the way it has to be done.

I'm not saying completely ignore CD, but less restrictive ROE will increase effectiveness.
Plus the ground component must be made of locals heavily supported by US/NATO Spec Ops, Intel, supply, training etc.

This has been the problem all along. Most of locals, for a variety of reasons can't or won't take the fight to their lunatic fringe brethren. No matter how much support and training, etc., the West provides.

The Kurds being the exception. However, with the Iraqi Shia government, supported by Shia Iran. Is very reluctant to support the Kurds. Plus the Turks distain for the Kurds. It's this kind of interaction between locals that helps Daesh grow.

Collateral Damage will vanish when we "go in" and stay there. Air strikes are only supportive. If anyone (cough cough, HO) thinks that our plan to do only air strikes is "succeeding", they are being hubristic. All that that does is make the enemy bring his wife and kids along for the truck ride, and let the West know that the cab is crammed with women and children. After an airstrike ISIS makes sure that YouTube gets the latest video coverage graphically showing the burned and dismembered bodies of helpless women and children scattered around the burning 18-wheeler. Make the Great Satan look evil and heartless with its nasty ground attack tactics.

"Go in" and stay there until the job is done. No need for airstrikes once the declared enemy is occupied permanently (for the duration)….

Toronto48- these are USAF – there was some discussion of trying to save the A-10 by transferring control of them to the Army, but the costs involved (including transfers of money from the Army tot he Air Force to cover past USAF costs) was too high, and the USAF really doesnt want to open up the whole Army/Air Force fixed wing argument once again.

The occupying force if there is one, must be locals. Like Turks, Egyptians, Jordanians, etc. … Like we see in Africa when the UN deploys African Forces in that region. Hopefully this will be more effective in the Mid East than in Africa (?).
Regardless, other moslems must be deployed both during and after. Don't let Daesh use the "Crusaders have returned to kill us all !" narrative.

And besides, it is really an Islamic problem … between their religious, tribal, ethnic, etc., differences. Which didn't happen anytime recently. They still refer to the West as "Crusaders" for God's sake !

This whole legal prohibition about the Army flying armed, fixed wing aircraft is the reason the Army focuses on helicopters. And the Air Force, with their "these are my toys" approach won't allow the Army to own armed, fixed wing aircraft even if it's a mission to support the Army, like the close air support mission (CAS).

the problem in the future will be that the AF will hate to use the very expensive F35 for such a "trivial" mission as CAS.

So very true …

I do wonder though as the drone programs develop and expand, will we see the Army fielding a dedicated CAS drone to deal with the whole A-10 issue? Not a Predator with a Hellfire, but a platform with a long loiter time and lots of shots – maybe not a chaingun, but more than a missile or two

Ohhhhh. How about a drone built around a 40 mm chaingun. Large enough round either to be AP or HE proximity fused. Wouldn't it be lovely.

Problem with that is that Drones are AF too

The Army also runs drones, they have enlisted men controlling them (because pilots need to be Warrants or commissioned Officers).

Armed MQ1C Gray Eagles, at that.