I think he may be talking out of his ass a little. the Chinook was big, but I don't know where it was flying and I don't know if they thought they were in a combat zone or not. I can't remember ever seeing anything other then BlackHawks, H-53 Jolly Green Giants, Cobras, Apaches, and Hughes 500MD's in a hot environment. Usually The sky Cranes and Chinooks and other transport helos are relagated to Rear End Maneuvers where speed is not the issue such as it is in the front lines.
What the hell do I know though?? And the more I think about it there really is no need for Dumb Bombs outside of cluster munitions in Afghanistan. This is not a theatre wide conflict, we don't have Any heavy ground assetts in place. They could probably really use some A-10 Warthogs more then anything.????
Does anyone know if any of those are over there.
The only cargo planes I have ever seen in operational areas are C-130's. The line about Strategic and Tactical bombing he made is I think not really necessary. Everyone uses those terms to denote the context in which they are used. CAS is right in front of your troops. Strategic bombing still is a big thing and will be as long as any enemies use C3, Industry,etc.
And just because they can mount a guidance system onto what overwise would be a dumb munition doesn't merit changing the rules just yet.
Nothing has changed here only the munitions employeed and granted different munitions use different employments I don't think we have reached a place to say their has been a revolution in AirPower. F-22s are still 2/3 years away from their first operational squadron. What you are really seeing here In my view is America becomming even more proficent in the Combined Arms operational concept. Our military is gaining a bunch of experience working with Nato Allies, Indigenous personell all over the world, Working with each other, Airforce,Navy,Marines,Army all working together sometimes on the same mission.