This is any air action against hostile targets, which are in close proximity to friendly forces. These missions require detailed integration with fires and the movement of those forces.

In the future, asymmetric conflict scenarios are as likely as direct engagements with a peer or near-peer adversary. In addition, these conflicts will more often take place in urban areas. All of which pose challenges for the future of CAS, and require a modification of the Alliance’s current CAS operations model. It needs to adapt to potential war scenarios by incorporating these variations in exercises and realistically evaluating new technologies, assets, competitors, and environments to establish Joint Air Support.

Providing CAS to joint forces remains a crucial mission in the context of joint force operations.