A month ago, I was at USAFA for Ira C. Eaker event. Three previous commanders of AF Europe were there (Breedlove, Walters, Harrigan) and James Hecker, the current one. Hecker was talking about how both sides utilized air defenses exceptionally well and that it would be tough to do it, even if F16s were delivered. Now this was an unclassified event, but an interesting observation considering the source.I honestly don't know how they plan to use it.
Were I planning, the first priority would be to establish and maintain air superiority over their advancing troops. Keep the Russian AF off them. Deny the Russian defenders air support.
Next priority would be Close Air Support (CAS). Give your troops an edge when they're in contact with the enemy.
Next would be air interdiction - interrupt the Russian supply lines. Starve their front line troops of ammo, fuel, food, everything.
But first would be air superiority. That enables all the other missions.
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