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Highlights the operations of the 4th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force based in Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Sorties of Air Force pilots to support ground troops during the Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003; Remarks of pilots and airmen on their accomplishments; Breakdown of the 4th Fighter Wing's role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Presents an update on the U.S. war with Iraq as of April 7, 2003. Level of intensity and resistance faced by coalition forces; Tactics developed by the Iraqi forces; Significance of the role of U.S. close-air support in the war; Munitions used by the U.S. Air Force against Iraqi targets.

An editorial is presented in which the editor discusses about the severity of US mission in Iraq after announcement that American commanders in Iraq have to seek approval from Iraqi governments for non-emergency air operations like air strikes, close-air support, and medical evacuations.

The article focuses on aircraft pilots' response to the congressional opposition to the plan of the U.S. Air Force to retire A-10 aircraft from close-air support (CAS). It discusses the gathering of pilots, including Major Isaac Bell, Brigadier General Patrick Malackowski, and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Welton, on February 24, 2015 which discussed their experiences providing CAS in other aircraft. Also discussed is the Air Force's CAS line-up including B-1, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F-16.

The article focuses on the U.S. Air Force's move to the development of a close-air support (CAS) airplane to replace A-10 Warthog jet attack plane. Topics include the statement of Mike Holmes, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements, regarding a draft-requirements document for a CAS airplane, plan for the improvement of the Air Force, and mandatory budget cuts in 2018-2019.

The article reports on the change in the format of the U.S. Air Force's Red Flag exercise held at the Nevada Test and Training Range from February to March 14, 2009 into a simulated air campaign. Several pilots who participated in the exercise said that the additional week and campaign format provided better training for them. The first part of the exercise is the global strike which involves destroying surface-to-air missiles and other defenses using stealthy aircraft. The final week of the Red Flag focused on close air support mission.

Reports on the plan of the U.S. Air Force to buy short-takeoff-vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft, a variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, to modernize the fleet of close-air support jets. Need for the aircraft to lose weight; Range of price of STOVL; Significance of the acquisition of STOVL.

The article offers several news briefs related to air force as of December 28, 2015. Airmen assigned at the 421st Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base of Utah the will provide over watch and close air support for ground units in Bagram, Afghanistan. Airmen who are deployed to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey for operating against the terrorist group Islamic State. U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey has begun returning to Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England.

The article discusses the deployment of airmen from the U.S. Air Force. Topics mentioned include the deployment of airmen from different squadrons, such as the 555th Fighter Squadron and the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron, to several countries like Afghanistan and Guam, the missions for the deployment, such as the provision of close-air support, maintenance of the Boeing B-52 strategic bomber, and combat readiness exercise, as well as the status of the American air forces as of August 7, 2015.

The article focuses on the issues addressed by Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan, executive officer of the F-35 program, about the development of the F-35 jet fighter plane in the U.S. Topics include the progress of the F-35 development, the differences between the F-35 and the A-10 and the future upgrades for the F-35.

The article offers insights several U.S. ground commanders, such as Army Captain Rudy Varner, on the plan of the U.S. Air Force to retire the A-10 aircraft form close-air support.

The article focuses on the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor awarded to A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Zurkowski and Major Christopher Cisneros for giving close air support during a ground firefight in eastern Afghanistan on June 28, 2012. It states that Zurkowski and Cisneros took 20 minutes to fly from Bagram Airfield to the firefight. It adds that Zurkowski flies for United Airlines while Cisneros is a part-time Guardsman as well as flies for American Airlines.

The article reports a historic event, wherein a close-air support to the Allied units landing on Anzio beach in Italy was supplied by the Twelfth Air Force, in January, 24, 1944, as explained by the study "Air Support of the Allied Landings in Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio," by Marine lieutenant Colonel Mathew G. St. Clair.

The article reports on a tactical directive that prevents U.S. aircraft from bombing residential buildings where insurgents may be hiding. The directive, which was announced by Marine General John Allen was rejected by critics who stated that it puts ground troops in grave danger. The directive is also aimed at reducing civilian casualties that undermine the overall mission in Afghanistan.

The article discusses the prospect of using unmanned A-10 aircraft to provide close-air support.

The article focuses on the steps taken by the U.S. Air Force and other military services to improve communications between joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) and air pilots. They are seeking to upgrade the close-air support (CAS) system to include radios, laser range finders and video terminals. The Joint Terminal Attack Controller Memorandum of Agreement was signed between services in 2004 to set militarywide standards for JTAC training. Air Force officials also developed a CAS system under its Tactical Air Control Party Modernization program.

The article discusses the outcomes of an order from U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal to limit the use of airstrikes in Afghanistan. According to fighter pilots, insurgents continue to fire at U.S. troops because they know that the F-16 and A-10 aircraft of the Air Force are dropping fewer bombs in 2010 than in 2009. Senior North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commanders limited airstrikes to reduce civilian casualties. The order played a role in the reduction of close-air support of the Air Force Central Command between 2008 and 2009.

The article stresses the need for the U.S. Air Force to replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II jet fighter plane with a new one designed to provide close-air support at low altitude.

The article reports on the support of U.S. Air Forces Central Command head Lieutenant General Mike Hostage to short tours of airmen in Iraq and Afghanistan despite call from the Department of Defense to extend deployments to a year. He says he is awaiting orders from the Central Command on how many airmen will be included in the 30,000 troops surge of President Barack Obama to Afghanistan. He will focus on close air support operations amid criticisms due to civilian casualties. He notes that airmen will train Iraqis beyond the deadline of August 2011.

The article focuses on the slower pace of close-air support and airlift missions carried out by the U.S. Air Force in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009 than in 2008. Air Forces Central Command cited categories related to war that the service has seen improvements, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. An overall decline in the amount of cargo transported was attributed to the increase in airdrops. Approximately 15,400 ISR missions are said to have flown by the service this year.

The article focuses on the close-air support provided by the crew of the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber B-1B Lancer to U.S. and Afghan soldiers under attack by Taliban insurgents at the Combat Outpost Kahler near Wanat on the Pakistan border on July 13, 2008. The crew included Major Norman Shelton, Captain Boyd Smith and Captains Kaylene Giri and Louis Heidema. The role of the Army joint terminal air controller (JTAC) in the mission is detailed. Nine soldiers had been killed and over two dozen had been injured in the battle.

The article announces that the U.S. Red Flag aerial combat exercise of Nellis Air Force Base's 414th Combat Training Squadron in late February 2009 is set to extend from two to three weeks amid attention given to close-air support (CAS) missions. Deputy commander of the exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Johnson, explains the need to discuss modern war such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Details of the three-week exercise are provided, highlighting the use of F-22 planes during the CAS portion.

The article reports on the possibility that U.S. Air Force assets will be flying close-air support combat missions in Afghanistan until at least 2013. According to U.S. Brigadier General Jay Lindell, the Afghan National Army Air Corps will likely gain such capability by 2013. The Afghan air corps include four fixed-wing transport aircraft, two of which are Antonov 26s and another two are Antonov 32s, and 16 helicopters. It notes that the average age of 180 Afghan air pilots is 43.

The article reports on the call of the U.S. Air Force ground commanders for close-air support in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, ground commanders understand the facets of air power and its value to them. There was a 42 percent increase in close-air support sorties in Afghanistan in 2006. Close-air support declined by 4 percent in Iraq in 2006 compared to 2005.

Reports on the increase in the number of close-air support and airlift missions of the U.S. Air Force in Iraq in 2005. Change being made to the Central Command Air Forces; Factors that contributed to the increase; Decision of officials to move a second squadron of F-16 jet fighter planes to Balad.

Reports on the use of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Stryker vehicles by the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron. Communication and targeting gears installed in the Stryker; Advantages of the TACP Stryker; Crew members for each Stryker vehicle in operation.

Reports on the suggestion to replace fire support coordination line with a grid system according to the Beyond Close Air Support study. Problems encountered in air attacks with the use of coordination line; Distance of the coordination line to the close-air support as suggested by the study; Limitations of attack airplanes during a battle.

Reports on the establishment of a central contact point for U.S. Air Force agencies by the Joint Air-Ground Operations Office (JAGO) at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Reason behind the establishment of the central office which focused on close-air support; Importance of the JAGO office to military operations; Total number of airmen who will be assigned in the office in February 2005.

Focuses on the Laser Integrated Target Identification System (LITES) of the U.S. Air Force for directing close-air support strikes. Features of LITES; Details of how the system works.

Reports on the military honor received by U.S. Air Force airmen aboard an AC-130H Spectre gunship for their mission in Afghanistan. Air support provided by the gunship for the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division; Overview of the operation; Remarks of the airmen on the award.

Points that the joint U.S. Army and U.S. Army air operations was the key to success in the Iraq War of 2003. Background of the officers who lead the joint air operation; Information on close-air-support team; Early war plans of the services.

Reports on the comment made by U.S. Air Combat Command General Hal Hornburg regarding criticisms of U.S. Army Major General Franklin Hagenbeck on close-air support from U.S. Air Force fighters during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan in March 2002. Claims of Hagenbeck; Role of A-10 Thunderbolts and AC-130 gunships in the operation; Defense of Hornburg against the accusations.

Editorial. Comments on the close air support mission of Operation Anaconda launched by the U.S. Air Force. Problems with the Education and Training Advisory Councils (ETAC) during the mission; Need to train ETAC; Ways to improve airstrikes success.

Acknowledges the efforts taken by enlisted Air Force close-air support specialists during the anti-terrorist campaign of the U.S. in Afghanistan in March 2002. Role played by Air Force Staff Sergeant Gabe Brown during a mission; Opinion about letting enlisted Marines act as close-air support specialists.

Deals with the priority of the U.S. Marine Corps to call on air strikes (CAS) in support of maneuver forces. Response of the Corps to proposals of changing the doctrines on close-air support; Reason behind the increased need of the Corps to air strikes; Factors attributed to the problems encountered with CAS.

Reports on the difference of opinion between attack controllers and B-52 Stratofortress bomber crew members concerning safety rules for close air support missions. Reason for the reluctance of controllers to give their location to B-52 aircrews; Information on the December 2001 accidental aerial bombing of U.S. military and allied Afghanistan fighters in Afghanistan; Details of the Global Positioning System target coordinates used for B-52 bombers.