<p>Please show me the quote in the article that says Navy and Marines does CAS better. All I found was a complaint that we do’t go as low (and I have a few buddies who have done 500’ (“ish”, and I only say “ish” because to say they went lower would get them in trouble) passes in full blower as a “Show of Force” when requested). Altitude does not equate to ability, especially when the majority of the weapons used are GPS guided using coordinates provided by the guys on the ground. Forced to do it this way because the ROE dictated to us by Army Generals says so.</p>
<p>The AF also has lots of mandated missions as well (Global Mobility, Air Dominance, Global Strike, to name a few) just like the Navy has sea control. But you insinuate we don’t hold up our end in this ground war when we meet our other mandated requirements. Using that logic, we could say the same of the navy (focusing on other missions to the detriment of the ground war) How does focusing your funds and new capabilities on sea control help the young soldier in Central Baghdad? </p>
<p>BTW, I do agree with your suggestion that we need to open up the UAV pilot pipeline to others outside of the typical AF pilot community. My squadron buds and I talk about this all the time. We even like the idea of bringing back the Warrant Officer career field to fill this need. But this is all talk way above my (and your) pay-grade.</p>