Tactical Air Control Party Association Tells SecDef Plane Is Vital

In light of shrinking defense budgets, the A-10 "Warthog" has been on the chopping block for some time, and the Pentagon is currently set to defund the program. But at least one group has written to the Secretary of Defense to say that the A-10 fulfils a unique niche on the battlefield.

The group is the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Association, which represents battlefield spotters. The Washington Times reports that in a letter addressed to outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, the group says that one of the planes that would replace the A-10 was responsible for a friendly-fire incident that killed five U.S. service members.

“We believe that F-15s, F-16s, and B-1s cannot replicate the CAS capabilities of the A-10, and we know from combat experience that the elimination of the A-10 before a viable replacement achieves full operational capability will cost American lives,” the letter read.

Spotting on the battlefield involves coordination between an aircraft pilot and a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) on the ground. They work together to identify enemy targets. “When under enemy fire and about to be overrun, JTACs look over their shoulders and pray an A-10 is there — knowing that nothing reassures and protects friendly forces and scatters and destroys enemy forces like an A-10,” the letter said.

TACP's support of the A-10 is considered significant because of their specialized training focused on protecting ground troops. The Pentagon has recommended putting the B-1B Bomber in the role of the A-10, but it was that aircraft that dropped a 500-pound bomb near the five U.S. soldiers guarding a helicopter landing zone on June 9.

The A-10 has its supporters on Capitol Hill as well. Fox News reports that in a recent news briefing, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who will chair the Armed Services Committee when the GOP takes control of the Senate in January, said "If that had been an A-10 providing close air support that day, we might have avoided that tragic friendly fire incident."

(Image from file)

FMI: http://usaftacp.org/