[tanknetter]

Do you think that on average an AV-8B or an F/A-18C is a more effective close air support platform than an A-10C?

From an airframe perspective, it depends on the combat and threat environment, doesn't it? If you need to work a CAS scenario where only a CVN or LHA/LHD can get aircraft close enough to the battle, then yes ... and AV-8B or F/A-18 IS going to be more effective. Because the A-10C won't be able to get there.

From an aircrew perspective, Marine fixed-wing air lives and breathes CAS. It's a fully integrated part of their organizational culture, to the point where (iirc) EVERY Marine fighter/attack pilot first serves as a Platoon Leader. I have nothing but respect for the A-10 guys, but the Marines make a hell of a good argument that their pilots know the CAS mission better because their pilots are first trained as the folks who will be calling in the CAS mission.

[Yo-Yo]

From an aircrew perspective, Marine fixed-wing air lives and breathes CAS. It's a fully integrated part of their organizational culture, to the point where (iirc) EVERY Marine fighter/attack pilot first serves as a Platoon Leader.

I don't know about every Marine CAS pilot being a Platoon Leader first (I know every Marine has to go through combat infantry school (SOI)), but I agree with you that as a package Marine CAS integrates much more closely with Marine ground forces than USAF CAS ever could. By the same token, Army Rotary Wing units also integrate much more closely with Army ground forces than USAF CAS could.

USAF CAS have to integrate with US Army, Marine Corps, and multi-national units interchangablly to provide CAS to international operations. So does Navy CAS. I also believe that Marine CAS supports Army and multi-national forces, too.

However, my question was about platforms, and I believe that the A-10, especially the -C precision engagement upgrades, makes the A-10 a better CAS platform than the F/A-18C or AV-8B of the Marine Corps. The A-10C has a larger A-G payload, longer loiter time, and slower speeds to assist in target acquitision. However, as you point out, if the mission is one of initial seaborne assault, the A-10 won't be available at all.