The Combat Aviation Advisory Mission in Iraq

摘要

Until recently the greatest contribution of combat aviation advisory (CAA) involved keeping "brushfires" from flaring into "multiple fire-alarm emergencies." In other words, CAA worked best when applied in support of host-nation assistance before a major contingency developed. Even though the current situation in Iraq does not follow this model, in reality, Operation Iraqi Freedom brings to the forefront the idea that the Air Force must increase its CAA capacity in order to support long-term US objectives. In fact, CAA will prove critical in the development of a credible Iraqi counterinsurgency (COIN) capability.