[Tilted Irish Kilt]

SOS Kerry would have us use B-52's for 'close in ground support'
What the hell is he smoking ?

[Redleg Duke]

With target acquisition devices on the ground and JDAMS, dropped from high altitude, you have CAS.

That being said, A-10s are needed as well. The only variant that is needed is the Marine one to replace the Harrier.

[ExNewsExSpook]

Actually, the B-52 and B-1 have performed CAS hundreds of times in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Precision weapons allow the big boys to handle some of the missions once reserved for the fast movers or attack helos.