The range of the Isis guns would threaten helicopters –some of which the US has sent to Iraq, along with hundreds of US special operations "advisers" – and A-10 close-air support planes, but not the higher-altitude F-15s, F-16s or C-17s.
Consider three methods to deliver lethal force: the high-altitude B-1B Lancer bomber, the Navy Seals and the A-10 Warthog close-air-support plane.
Were Chad to approve a small expeditionary force of America's A-10 tactical-air-support planes, which it probably would, just a few of these could closely suppress remnant Sudanese armor and check any force of the janjaweed militia sufficiently concentrated to overcome local means of self-defense.
Dunford also did not rule out a combat role for Nato troops after 2014, particularly in the form of close air support – the planes and helicopters that aid troops caught in fierce fighting, which is a capacity that Afghanistan is only starting to develop.
A senior American defense official said that several days ago, United States special operations forces in northern Iraq got into a bind and called for air support from American attack planes, but Turkish leaders would not open the country's airspace to American planes.
They had air support, including three US Hercules planes landing on a former Soviet base that had fallen into disuse but is being renovated.
There has been massive air support from choppers and planes.
The short operating range of British aircraft such as the Spitfire and Typhoon greatly limited the number of potential landing sites, as comprehensive air support depended upon having planes overhead for as long as possible.
That doesn't seem like it would require the use of much force, but the squad who showed up in Chicken included armed FBI and Department of Defense agents and even a plane for "air support".
When they're pinned down, U.S. planes could provide air support.
Cuban-Americans view the Bay of Pigs as a betrayal by President John F. Kennedy, who did not order planes to provide air support of the invasion.
