Help from above: the high cost of modern combat aircraft militates against risking them in close air support, but there are times when only air assets can provide the necessary fast response and concentration of firepower. This type of mission also remains essential for special forces and operations in mountainous terrain, where heavy artillery is not usually available.

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Close air support

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Help from above: the high cost of modern combat aircraft militates against risking them in close air support, but there are times when only air assets can provide the necessary fast response and concentration of firepower. This type of mission also remains essential for special forces and operations in mountainous terrain, where heavy artillery is not usually available.

Close air support is a specialised form of ground attack in which the hostile target is in proximity to friendly forces. Such strikes require careful co-ordination with land forces and precise weapon delivery if 'blue-on-blue' casualties are to be avoided.

A pilot from the supporting air unit normally acts as a forward air controller, either on the ground or in the air. The US services have recently changed the designation to Joint Terminal Attack Controller, and this may well become Nato standard.

Verbal directions to the attacking pilots were traditionally supplemented by fluorescent ground panels and coloured smoke target marking, but in the leading air forces such measures have now been replaced by laser designation.

The procedure can work well, provided that the target is not obscured by low cloud, fog or smoke, and those involved are experienced. Serious errors can still occur when different nationalities are involved, especially if pilots are not trained to recognise their al...

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