<p>i was wondering how involved aircraft are in the fighting part of the war. which type is most active? (fighters, bombers, choppers, etc.). i know that UAV’s are getting more and more popular, but fighters and such are still being developed and invested in, yet i never hear much about aerial warfare in iraq or afghanistan. what are these tactical fighters used for then? air to air? air to ground?</p>
<p>There's definitely no air to air going on over there. Speaking from what I know, which is very little (relatively), I would say that the aircraft that are most involved would be fighters on close air support missions and definitely helicopters. I'm sure some people on here can shed a little more light.</p>
<p>From what I understand, on the combat side, F-16s and Strike Eagles do a lot of close air support as well as AC-130's. Then the cargo and tankers are flying a lot as well.</p>
<p>"close air support" means the angels on high protecting the ground forces i assume? through air to ground attacks?</p>
<p>That is correct.</p>
<p>Yeah. Basically anything that directly supports operations on the ground is Close Air Support. In addition to the airframes hornet mentioned, he forgot the A-10!</p>
<p>My bad, can't forget the warthog. Loved watching them over ops last year. Only aircraft without ops limits!</p>
<p>Aircraft in Afghanistan and Iraq are very involved with the ground conflicts. My dad (F-16 engine mechanic and test cell operator) was recently deployed to LSA Anaconda (Balad) and he mentioned that between all the fighter groups down there, there was always at least one pair of jets up there to give assistance when needed.<br>
As for what kinds of planes are flying. There's transports being flown all over basically, and for the ground support, it's anything that can get there fast and deliver the necessary force. Ultimately it's mostly F-16s.</p>
<p>The strikes just returned this weekend from their AEF. It was the strikes that answered Prince Harry's call a little while back...and no, the guys knew it was Brit, but didn't know until they announced his callsign that they actually were talking to the Prince of England.</p>
<p>F-16s, F-15Es, A-10s, AC-130s, and B-1Bs are doing most of the combat. AF special forces uses helicopters, I'm sure. Transports like the C-5, C-17, and C-130 are busy keeping the supplies flowing.</p>
<p>Two of the three aircraft I would never want chasing me if I were a bad guy. The A/C 130 Gunship and the A-10. Just something wrong about flying tanks with gatling guns blazing. Not to mention the high tech visual detection systems on board. Guaranteed to make a bad day for the terrorist or ant other opposing force.</p>
<p>Had an A-10 crash while I was in Korea. Plane was loaded for the fight. Multi rocket launchers, 500lb'ers,. The cannon broke open in the crash and rounds were cooking off. Not a fun day.</p>
<p>Bullet's crew mate xtrained from the A-10 into the Strike, I remember one night at a party TANKS (his callsign in the Strike) saying that the guns on the Strike were worthless and Now with the A-10 that is what you call a gun! ** Of course the response was something along the lines that I would rather get my a out of there then have the gun!</p>
<p>Every A-10 guy loves that plane, for you young people, they tried to get rid of the A-10 many yrs ago, but it is still here and the pilots still love it.</p>
<p>You have to love a plane where you sit in a "Bullet"proof bath tub, can have have a wing blown off, eject an engine, loose one tail rudder, and still make it home. Oh and if you are going to take a gun to the fight it is always smart to have the biggest one on block.</p>
<p>I will admit if you watch the Military channel when they do the specials on certain planes and see how these guys brought them back riddled with holes you will be in awe.</p>
<p>I look at the A-10 like it is the Honda of the service...as long as you maintain them properly you can't kill them...same is true for the Buffs...afterall isn't it like 50+ yrs</p>
<p>Grandchildren of the First Pilots are A/C commanders on the BUFF now. Late 1950 until today. I heard they are doing another upgrade to extend service somemore.</p>
<p>undercvraviator,</p>
<p>Going back to your OP, I think you've been given your answer by all here: Yes, there has been, is now, and will remain for the forseseeable future, AF (and Navy, and Marine, and Army) aviation assets in the air over Iraq and Afghanistan providing crucial support to the current battle. </p>
<p>But let's not forget: at this very moment, there is a young AF Airman who is probably manning the turret on an up-armored Humvee as part of a convoy on some dangerous road in those places. At this moment, there is a young AF Security Forces specialist "manning the wire" at Balad AB and Bahgram AB, and a dozen other not-so-safe sites in those areas. At this moment, there is a young enlisted JTAC riding shot-gun with his Army or SF buddies, ready to help take down an insurgent stronghold by providing Close Air Support command and control. AT THIS MOMENT, there are young men and women from ALL the services doing things "in-country" that should make all Americans proud of their sacrifices and the job they do. God Bless Them ALL!</p>
<p>Yes, the AF is contributing every day to the Global War on Terrorism, not just in the air but on the ground with our Army and Marine brothers. The air support is crucial to this current struggle; however, boots on the ground are the key, and we (the AF) are contributing daily there as well.</p>
<p>It has been a few years, but in the close of my AF career I can say when it came to deployments in my career the chances were you would be on the ground with the Army or Marines. They decided before they could land cargo plane you had the have an ALCE (Air lift Control Element) in place. So when the Army/Marines would deploy we wouldn't be far behind making sure the Firetrucks were there if anything went wrong.</p>
<p>I mentioned earlier in the 70's and 80's the AF was considered a 9-5 service by most, but with GW-1 that all changed. Every Christmas you would watch and see what was next. Restore Hope, Bosnia, Croatia, Haiti, and every other garden spot in the world became our workplace. On the ground and in the air.</p>
<p>DS
Bullet became OP in 90, and it still was a 9-5 AF...I referred back to this when I said in 93 he did a jt with the 82nd and I didn't understand him leaving at 5:30 to do PT...heck, I didn't even know what PT stood for!</p>
<p>It really changed in the 90's when all of the sudden they were being deployed on a minute's notice. The 1st time it was noticeable was for Haiti called in Sunday a.m., deployed by Sat. The 2nd time Bullet was called in was 1 Saturday and gone by Thursday for 120 +/-. Since then we have experienced him getting short notices to fill spots due to rank, and of course the AEF rotation.</p>
<p>You are right the AF has changed significantly in the past 20 yrs. </p>
<p>I am going to hold to the belief that we will finally get ahead of the ball and be able to manage the situation better!</p>
<p>I also hope that the other branches will begin to realize that the AF has never left the Sandbox since 90. Bullet has been deployed for 17 yrs in direct support or backfill. The AF has not gotten a free pass, they just haven't gotten the media attention to highlight what they have done</p>
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<p>agreed</p>
<p>the A10 always has been and always will be my favorite plane, ever. i've only seen 2 actually flying in real life at a football game :) i hope they're not retired for a while!</p>
<p>Their trying to modernize them in the same way that the B-52s are, so they should be around for awhile!</p>