The A-10 and AC-130 are incredible aircraft. I’m disgusted with the Air Force for trying so hard to ignore that mission. When it comes to air-to-mud ordinance on target, it’s hard to imagine anything better than the AC-130.
With some exceptions, they have been doing that since the Wright Brothers. For every Pete Quesada or Harry Broadhurst, there is an inexhaustible supply of officers who simply will not be bothered with close air support and who would mothball every aircraft designed for such.