The E/F-111? The B-1? For Close Air Support? You’re kidding, right?
Only the poor Air Force could believe for on second that those beasts would be suitable close air platforms.
The primary requirements for close air are tight integration with the supported ground force, the correct and appropriate effects required, and infallible precision. The Aardvark and the Bone are flying dump trucks and require hundreds of square miles of airspace to maneuver.
CAS aircraft need to perform like the A-10 or the A-4 or the A-6 or the blessed A-1. Tight maneuver, tailored and precise weapon packages and intimate connection to the supported troops. Even the F-4 was marginal for CAS except in the most skilled hands.
We like to see their faces before we call “wings level, clear and hot”.
“The Aardvark and the Bone are flying dump trucks and require hundreds of square miles of airspace to maneuver.”
Have you looked at a map of the ME showing the Islamic State’s territory?
During the height of the war in Afcrapistan my son was involved in a battle on the Kush. His team was pinned down by a heavy machine gun and two mortars that were placed in an area that they could not hit with direct fire. Enter CAS. The only aircraft available that day were Bones. The Bones made several runs with JDAM’s using standard techniques - to no positive results. The nature of the ravine meant that the JDAMS could not take a last second turn to impact on the bad guys. Situation desperate, wounded etc. The flight leader took his Bone up the canyon below peak level turned it on it’s side and literally tossed a bomb into the canyon and took out the enemy position. Very brave move but a giant risk to the crew and the aircraft. A-10’s would of made short work of it.