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That's excellent news, ODC-GIRL. I think the biggest issue has always been interoperability between two services that operate in the same battlespace and share a mission in a way they don't with the Navy. Poor response time has always been the biggest gripe, and the A-10, with it's greater loiter time and ability to make use of less "improved" runways goes a long way to address that.

I definitely see your point, SIDENET, and when I think about it, it probably would be inefficient to tie fixed-wing units to a Brigade Combat Team. You can't argue, though, that the Air Force hasn't downplayed its Close Air Support role over the years, though it does seem that that has begin to change over the last 6 years.

Also, I certainly don't want to give the impression that I would like to see the Air Force merged with the Army. The two services require different institutional cultures. I also certainly don't believe the Air Force's strategic role ought to be downplayed, any more than I think its CAS role should be. I just think you want to see as much interoperability, unity of command, and unity of effort as possible within the same battlespace.