A-10s deployed to take on the Islamic State

[SharpeXB]

"An attack aircraft that the Pentagon is trying to get rid of has been deployed to the Middle East to take on the Islamic State."

 

http://www.stripes.com/a-10s-deployed-to-take-on-the-islamic-state-1.316187

[KLR Rico]

Why send in the A-10? Why not take the chance to prove that the F-35 is up to the task? :rolleyes:

 

Oh wait, the F-35 is junk. :music_whistling:

[Buzzles]

Why send in the A-10? Why not take the chance to prove that the F-35 is up to the task? :rolleyes:

 

Oh wait, the F-35 is junk. :music_whistling:

 

I'd imagine it's really down to the fact the F-35 isn't operational yet, while the A-10 fleet is.

Plus, the type of ground war they're going to be doing is perfectly suited to the A-10.

 

Some of you people really have a gear to grind about an aircraft which is just a massive unknown at the moment.

[efeballi]

A-10 is the most suitable IMO, as it will have the lowest operating cost and the best survivability among USAF's CAS capable aircraft. Recently ISIS hit a Strike Eagle doing CAS over the region, which had to make an emergency landing in Incirlik.

 

On the other hand, there were F-22s bombing ISIS too, where all cost arguments fail...

[Pilotasso]

Also an A-10 is a psichological weapon to enemy troops big time in a way fast jets cant.

[maturin]

 

On the other hand, there were F-22s bombing ISIS too, where all cost arguments fail...

Only inside Syria, I'm sure. Where the air defense system probably still sort of works.

[bad-andy]

I doubt Syria would willingly lock on a U.S. aircraft, probably roll down the shades. :cry:

[genbrien]

A-10 is the most suitable IMO, as it will have the lowest operating cost and the best survivability among USAF's CAS capable aircraft. Recently ISIS hit a Strike Eagle doing CAS over the region, which had to make an emergency landing in Incirlik.

 

On the other hand, there were F-22s bombing ISIS too, where all cost arguments fail...

 

Is there a link to read on that F15e incident?

[NeilWillis]

Looks like the main reason they're there is so they can perform CSAR, as it said in the article. The fact that they're there and would otherwise be idle until CSAR was required means they'll fulfil other roles too.

 

That's my take on it anyway.

[maturin]

I doubt Syria would willingly lock on a U.S. aircraft, probably roll down the shades. :cry:

Probably, but no one in the Air Force wants to be the one to take that bet and risk blundering into a massive unplanned SEAD operation.

[rcjonessnp175]

Their there to support our Oda's and Iraqi brothers while in tics' Speaking from experience they are the best platform for this type of operation along with our lovely Apache's

[bad-andy]

Probably, but no one in the Air Force wants to be the one to take that

and risk blundering into a massive unplanned SEAD operation.

 

A few of these might simplify the matter.

 

Edited November 27, 2014 by bad-andy
quote

[Revan]

A few of these might simplify the matter.

 

 

Forget those, Just use a few of these!

 

A B-61 variable yield nuclear bomb

[efeballi]

http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/09/12/isil-using-anti-aircaft-batteries-captured-iraq/

Here you go genbrien. My guess is ZSU-23-4.

 

maturin, valid point you got there.

 

SEAD'ing an entire country would take tens of HARM's, many flights and maybe some of them being shot down. The US military is still trying to keep the costs down, so I don't think that is possible in the near future.

[dumgrunt]

the whole point of the operation is to keep intervention to an absolute minimum. We had a RAAF spokesperson on the telly a couple of weeks being probed about the legitmacy of the operation. They opined that:

"if the coalition wanted to finish this in two weeks it could, but the point is to contain it to being an Iraqi problem, with an Iraqi solution"

 

Dropping bombs in Syria was an important facet of degrading ISIS, the quickest cleanest, and most effective way of doing that was with F-22s. why use a mace when a razor will do, especially when using a mace will potentially broaden the conflict, and undermine the very objectives you are trying to achieve.

 

So far as the A-10s are concerned, id say the reason why they havent deployed sooner is that it wasnt known if it would be a long term operation, now that much is apparent. That and ISIS are changing their tactics, avoiding advancing in large "formations" in open terrain, whereby the A-10 characteristics are best suited to search and destroy. not to mention a major push by the iraqi military is probably looming.

[maturin]

A few of these might simplify the matter.

 

Uh, no...

 

Anyone want to take this one?

[jcbak]

A10 in the news

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/12/01/target-spotters-enter-dogfight-over-10-jet-retirement/?intcmp=latestnews

[bad-andy]

A10 vs. B1B, tough call if you had to choose one program over the other.

Interesting article. I hadn't heard of the fratricide incident.

[rcjonessnp175]

Well I can speak from experience we always wanted the a10c overhead and nothing else well besides apaches. That bird is not replaceable, give it to us the army and we will keep that bird flying :)

[javelina1]

The Army and Marines have said the same thing. Give that bird to us, we'll gladly take it. Go Hawg!

[tacit_blue]

Good news, at least for a year!

http://www.stripes.com/budget-deal-would-save-a-10-fleet-for-a-year-1.317187

[Rangi]

Here is another nice A-10 link

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/watch-the-a-10-movie-the-u-s-air-force-doesnt-want-you-to-see-d31c24aaa9ad

[Witchking]

A-10s are so awesome and critical. Its nice to see that congress is giving it a chance again. The freaking F-35 is so useless. Should just be scrapped and the A-10s should be improved again.

[Oceandar]

A-10 is back to business

 

America’s Toughest, Ugliest Warplane Is Going Back Into Battle

http://feeds.wired.com/c/35185/f/661370/s/4126e409/sc/7/l/0L0Swired0N0C20A140C120Ca10A0Ewarthog0Eisis0C/story01.htm

[jcbak]

http://theaviationist.com/2014/12/07/video-shows-a-10-iraq/