MASTER OF THE SKIES

If this goes through, it will set the precedent for Special Operations Forces to have their own fixed wing aviation assets without having to reach out to another branch of service, which is something that our Allies in the Middle East are experimenting with also.   I predict we will start to see something similar, where SOF have specialized infantry weapon teams, tanks, artillery, engineering assets, fixed and rotary wing aviation and potentially Naval support as well ALL IN ONE UNIT, under ONE COMMANDER, NOT SUBORDINATED FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.  

“Even in cases where tanks are fighting alongside an infantry unit, the tank operators are subordinate to their armored units and the infantrymen are led by their infantry commanders.That will not be the case in this type of new unit. The fighter pilots serving there will no longer be directly subordinate to the air force but would be formally part of the same unit, under the same commander, the IDF said.“

Further reading:

https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/immediate-lessons-from-the-battle-of-mosul

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron arrive at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, May 5, 2020.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandria Brun)

USAF F-4D 465th TFG, Tinker AFB