On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 06:52:08 -0800, Henry J Cobb wrote:

Thomas Schoene wrote:
So Henry, when was the last time you tried to identify armored vehicles in
urban terrain, probably shrouded in smoke, from the cockpit of a fast-moving
jet aircraft?

Same here (never), but I know folks who have, including a Marine OV-10 FAC
pilot who flew in the Gulf War. They tell me it's damned hard to do.

Then you just don't attack the first thing you see.

Why do you assume that anyone would? When you operate a weapon,
whether a fast mover tactical aircraft or a hunting rifle in the
field, you verify your target.

Did the A-10 pilot have the proper clearance to attack?

That would depend upon the particular circumstances--the ROE. If
working in support of ground forces, he would have to be controlled.
He would be coordinated into the area to deconflict with artillery and
aviation assets. He might be under FAC control. He might be operating
on a 9-line or maybe with an illuminator. He might be in an
interdiction role on a fixed reported target. He might be in a
"kill-box" where he has free-fire discretion.

Are you assuming that fighters commonly operate as some sort of
autonomous cowboy?

If so, who gave it to him? And why wasn't this coordinated with the
troops on the ground?

See above.

-HJC

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8