The chief of staff of the Army said Thursday that he doesn’t “give a rat’s ass” what aircraft the Air Force uses to provide air support for ground troops.
A reporter asked Gen. Mark Milley to respond to the Air Force’s plan to retire the A-10 aircraft and if that creates any gaps for ground troops. “As a soldier, the only thing I care about is the effect on the target. I don’t give a rat’s ass what platform brings it in … I don’t care if the thing was carried in by carrier pigeons. I want the enemy taken care of,” he replied at the event held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “When push comes to shove and bullets start flying and people’s lives are at stake, the United States Air Force has never failed.”
Lawmakers have pushed back, saying A-10s are the best planes for the job of providing close-air support to troops.
Milley also discussed the Army’s plans for the future, saying the service is sizing, training and equipping its troops to prepare for conflicts against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and terrorist organizations.
“I think we are on a fundamental cusp of a change in ground warfare of such a significance … it will be like the change of horses to mechanized vehicles,” Milley said. He will receive reports by the end of the summer outlining future war fighting environments and enemies in the 2025-2050 time frame to plan future force structure and weapons acquisitions.
A provision in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act would increase the number of soldiers in the Army. “I’d welcome more troops if and only if we get the funding to sustain their readiness, he said.” Not getting proper funding for extra troops would hurt readiness.
Milley called it a myth that the U.S. can fight a short war with special operations forces. “I’m very weary and skeptical of anyone who propagates the idea that war is a short dust up.” In addition, “[special forces] are not designed, manned and equipped to win wars,” Milley said.
Milley stressed the importance of keeping the National Guard and reserve components as a part of the whole Army. The Army doesn’t fight wars, the United States fights wars, Milley said. “We can’t maintain a ground war without reserves and National Guard.” Drawing from all corners of the country in the Guard and reserves brings the morale of the U.S. into the war, making a more efficient Army, he said.
