The problem with deploying A-10s is that they are land based. That means that they have no naval support, limited overwater combat radius, even with inflight refueling, and limited loiter over the fleet.
The Air Force also hates them, since it doesn't fit into Air Superiority Doctrine, (Read that as "You and me, Red Baron..."), the Revealed Truth of the steely eyed fighter jocks, who are now advising the JCS, and staffing all contingencies. To the best of my knowledge, the AF has STILL, despite the success A-10s have had, never reactivated regular Thunderbolt units, leaving them for the Reserves. And have not budgeted any new construction.
The Zoomies are not in the fleet defense business, figuring that since the Navy has airplanes, let them defend their own.
The Air Force and the Navy have always held Earth Moving in contempt, leaving it for the Marines, even as they assign any Marine squadrons to fleet defense. Close Air Support has never been popular with the other services. Some bearded snuffie with an AK and a Golden Beebee can screw up their whole day.
The Navy Aviator is still trying to recreate the Marianas Turkey Shoot. US Navy ships are no longer in the surface ship warfare business. The Gun Club died after WW2. The Navy have only air defense, or are ASW dedicated, and are not in the ship to ship defense business, let alone defending against small craft like the Boghammer, with a one-way-ticket-to-Crazy-Town crew. And remember, even if only one Boston Whaler with a bomb gets through, a CV is out of the plane launching and recovery business while Damage Control fixes things.
Consider how much trouble 2 dozen Skinnys in a dhow can cause, when we have to import SEALS to shoot back.
Consider how much trouble 2 dozen Skinnys in a dhow can cause, when we have to import SEALS to shoot back.
You do understand the difference between blowing the ship out of the water and rescuing a hostage, right?