CAS Fundamentals

OK, so what is this CAS thing all about? Well hopefully I can explain it in a way that you can understand. Close Air Support (CAS) provides firepower in offensive and defensive operations to destroy, disrupt, suppress, fix, or delay enemy forces in close proximity to friendly forces (Joint Pub 3-09.3). That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell, but there is so much more than that to know to understand why CAS is CAS.
WHY CAS?
During Operation DESERT STORM, Americans sat in their living rooms and watched gun tapes of precision bombs being dropped down ventilation tubes and through windows of Iraqi targets. That was not CAS. That was another function known as Air Interdiction. Long range fighter/bombers flew deep into Iraq and struck strategic targets that took away elements of the Iraqi defenses crucial to their war machine. During the US invasion of Panama, Army Rangers called on AC-130/H gunships to engage targets that were sometimes within 100 meters. That was CAS. CAS is CLOSE PROXIMITY. CAS augments organic fire support measures such as mortars, artillery, or helicopters. It is important to remember that even though artillery is extremely lethal, an airstrike can deliver hundreds or thousands of pounds of high explosive on a target with pinpoint accuracy. If placed correctly, one strafe run from an A-10 can desimate armored columns or dug in positions. I do not presume to think that CAS is the end all of battlefield fires but it can be very decisive when used at the right time and the right place.
HOW IS CAS PLANNED?
For the purpose of this forum, I will be talking about the Army/Air Force use of CAS. The Marines have their own way of coordinating CAS but that will not be discussed here. Every Army manuever unit is supported by Air Force liasons known as Tactical Air Control Parties or TACPs. A light infantry battalion will have between 2 and 6 Air Force members alligned in support of them for the purpose of advising on the use of, assisting in the request and planning of, and controlling CAS strikes. These are the ROMADS. The guys who have given up their Air Force life in lieu of living and fighting with the Army. The TACP will consist of at least one Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC) and a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist. Depending on the situation, the TACP may contain an ALO or BALO (see What's a ROMAD and Terms & Definitions for more explanations). It is the job of the TACP to integrate into the Army staff and assist them in the planning process. Most Army folks, while they are very good at what they do, do not know a whole lot about what the Air Force can give them. True CAS requires DETAILED INTEGRATION. What everybody sees in the movies is actually Emergency Close Air Support or E-CAS. That is where the good guys are being overrun and an airplane comes in and drops Napalm on everything and their is much rejoicing. While this is still CAS, it is not what the TACP strives to do (even though it's still pretty cool and we will provide that service when required). We strive to integrate CAS into the battle plan. To combine fires and supporting fires at a devastating and desicive moment. When done correctly, it can be quite impressive. CAS comes in two "packages"; Preplanned and immediate. Preplanned CAS is requested through Army channels and is usually the most thought out and integrated type. Immediate is just what it sounds like. We need air support now or we will be dying in place. Actually, immediate requests are anywhere from that moment to 24 hours out. The truly preferred method is preplanned though due to time restraints on how far out you must request it, it is not used as often. The Air Force plans two or three days out when the Army plans till the next day. It is very hard to predict what is going to happen in a land war three days out. The TACP will ensure the ground commander is educated on what the aircraft can and more importantly can't do. Army commanders are interested in numbers..."Hey Air Force, how many tanks can you kill?". It is then our job to give our most educated guess on exactly how much we can do with CAS. We also educate him on munitions. What are the effects of a MK-82 as opposed to a CBU-87. What is the BEST type of munition to use against a certain target. These are just some of the things we must consider when integrating CAS. When all the planning is done, it is now time to put it to use. That is the final control of the strike..........