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Services believe that modified General Dynamics A-l6s will be
capable of performing the mission, but junior officers see this
aircraft as less capable than the A-l0 in this role and more
suited to the interdiction mission.

   (6)  Deputy Secretary of Defense William H. Taft, IV, has
directed the Air Force to use $20 million to investigate a
variety of options for fulfilling the close air support mission.
The Air Force is to seek cost effectiveness and design studies
from major airframe contractors on alternative options, including
building new and modifying existing aircraft.

C.   Conclusions.

   (1)  Marine Corps ground forces receive close air support that
is unrivaled.   Our inherent ability to task organize combined
arms air-ground teams within Service lines, when coupled with the
understood primacy of the infantryman, integrated training of
aviators and ground forces, and a keen eye for emerging technol-
ogy, provide Marine air-ground task forces with a capability to
conduct the full spectrum of close air support missions in a
fully coordinated, responsive, and effective manner.

   (2)  Marine Corps planners and operators should make every
effort to keep abreast of emerging Army and Air Force concepts
and doctrines for close air support, but should refrain from
entering the Army and Air Force close air support fracas.


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