Air Force to Stand Up SOC COIN Squadron?

By John

Found this interesting bit from the most excellent Captain's Journal:

Chief of Staff General Michael Moseley has told Jane’s he is considering the creation of a new counterinsurgency (COIN) squadron of A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Gen Moseley said he is mulling the possibility of putting a squadron of A-10A close-support aircraft inside AFSOC to serve the Special Operations Command, which has the lead engagement role in the US-declared global war on terrorism.

“There’s a variety of … counterinsurgency aircraft and other things out there that we’ve been looking at that would facilitate AFSOC’s partnership with the Special Operations Command,” Gen Moseley told Jane’s on 12 July.

“I’ve even asked: is it reasonable to put a squadron or so of A-10s into Special Operations Command?”

The A-10 is widely used to provide close air support to coalition and friendly forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it can be used against all ground targets including armoured platforms.

Gen Moseley’s interest in a new A-10 COIN squadron follows recent reports of a new AFSOC proposal for an “irregular warfare” wing. Possible aircraft being floated to fill a strike role in the wing have ranged from a modified air-to-ground Beechcraft AT-6B to an Embraer Tucano or Super Tucano.

However, Gen Moseley cautioned that he is not yet fully committed to the idea of a COIN air unit but is considering it because he believes the USAF needs to be able to meet the “full spectrum” of threats — from COIN to state-on-state conflict.

“I don’t know if I’m wedded to [the COIN unit] so much as I would like to know the pluses and minuses,” said Gen Moseley.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft — known informally as the Warthog — may offer some key advantages if Gen Moseley decides to establish the COIN squadron. The A-10 was specifically designed to be highly survivable in close air support missions. It is highly maneuverable at low air speeds and altitudes, boasts a long loiter time and also a titanium cockpit and redundant flight controls.

If established, the A-10 COIN squadron would be the first dedicated strike aircraft unit for COIN since the Douglas A-1 Skyraider: a propeller-driven ground-support aircraft used in the Vietnam War. The aircraft made a name for itself carrying large bomb loads, absorbing heavy fire and demonstrating prolonged endurance — traits similar to those possessed by the A-10.

“We fought all the way through Southeast Asia with A-1s living in the special operations world,” noted Gen Moseley.

The Texan has primarily served us as a trainer aircraft, sending a prop driven bird back into the combat Air Force would certainly be interesting. Here's what it'd look like:

I know some South American nations, Columbia is one, have used the Tucano in a CAS role with solid results. In a perfect world, the Army would drop its objection to the Air Force developing offensive helicopters and Congress bumping funding so that we could stand up a few COIN wings armed with a variety of airframes, as opposed to just a single squadron.

But to be honest, I'm just interested in seeing the Air Force find its niche in this new war.

August 2, 2007 08:53 PM Air Assault

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Comments

In a perfect world all CAS elements would be handed back to the Army. The Air Force only likes to fly high in the blue. ;)

Or so the resentment goes.

Paul · August 2, 2007 09:38 PM

Call me a traditionalist: my vote is for the A-1 Skyraider.

DaveO · August 3, 2007 04:03 AM

I really really really like the A-10. Its a hell of a plane, but I don't think it quite has want I'd like to see in a Coin aircraft.

I'd like something thats smaller in size, smaller in logistics footprint, smaller in required runway size, and more specialized in the coin role itself.

The Tucano just might do the trick, I wander if enought those OV-10s we used to fly might just be floating around in a desert or warehouse somewhere....

Curtis · August 3, 2007 04:11 AM

The OV-10 would be an EXCELLENT aircraft for the COIN role. Not only is it a VSTOL aircraft, but it has a limited cargo/paratroop carrying capacity as well.

It serve with great effectiveness in the "Brown Water" Navy of Vietnam and in Marine Corps FAC squadrons. It was active up through Desert Storm.

The A-10 would be excellent as well, but there is the maintenance issues.

Here's REALLY thinking outside the box. Why does a squadron have to fly ONE type of plane? Can they not have several types?

Joel · August 3, 2007 04:37 AM

Either Bring back the SPAD (the A1) or let's go really crazy and de-mothball the p-51 mustang inspired Piper Enforcer:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=614

Dear God, that looks fun to fly.

Rankin · August 3, 2007 06:41 AM

That T-6 certainly is the one my grandfather would have seen.

I do agree with the previous poster, bring back the Skyraider.

Doug · August 3, 2007 08:27 AM

The T-6 is a slick-wing at this point. No bomb-racks - interface for 'smart' weapons, Hellfires, etc.
The Piper looks really good. I suppose it could be brought up to date for the Hellfire milssle and 'smart-bombs', or even the SDB.
The A-10 can do it all: Maverick, Hellfire, JDAM, cluster-bombs, and there is always the gun! Redundant flight-controls, armor, two engines, and they are already in the inventory. None of the multi-year procurement bullsh*t.
Interesting concept.

Cheers!
Chris

Chris · August 3, 2007 04:38 PM

Okay, My above comment was regarding the T-6, not the AT-6. Beech is pretty non-specific about the weapons capabilities of the AT-6, but it would have more of a chance of being built than the Piper, which was prototyped before the collapse of the GA market and most of the manufacturers. Piper may not have the plant/manpower/fixtures/credit to produce their aircraft at this point. Still, to have one of these go into full-rate production would be very cool.
Okay, I'm an airplane junkie, A&P and pilot.

Cheers!

Chris · August 3, 2007 06:38 PM

Regarding the Piper, I merely think it looks cool. It'd be interesting in a historic sense to have a fighting mustang again.

that said, procurement is the big deal. What's available right now? The A-10 is an excellent aircraft, but there may be maneuverability, speed issues that can be best addressed by a prop job. Sounds bizarre i guess, but could be true.

IF they're gonna do it, get it done. Don't waste a lifetime in development or some such crap.

Rankin · August 3, 2007 08:59 PM

My commentary on the subject is up here:
http://noangst.blogspot.com/2007/08/coin-aircraft.html

Suffice to say I'm not a huge fan of the A-10 in the role, and I'm also pretty sold on the idea of flying several different types of aircraft.

Mike · August 5, 2007 09:14 PM

The old Skyraider was and still is the best for loiter, weapons load, and ability to stay at least somewhere near the strike zone. Most of the jets have so big a turn radius as to require vectors to the strike area after every pass.

Rich Hall · December 6, 2007 08:20 AM

I would bring back the Skyraider in similar form. It would have some nice updates in there, that simply weren't available during the time when the plane was used.

It still is today probably the best propdriven aircraft with reasonable speed, hefty payload, and long loiter flying time.

The A-10 has there place...and the Skyraider would have its place.

Nate · April 27, 2008 04:39 AM