Support
Aerial warfare actions against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces, requiring detailed integration with ground forces.
Close air support (CAS) is defined as aerial warfare actions—often air-to-ground actions such as strafes or airstrikes—by military aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces. A form of fire support, CAS requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of all forces involved. CAS may be conducted using aerial bombs, glide bombs, missiles, rockets, autocannons, and machine guns. The requirement for detailed integration because of proximity, fires or movement is the determining factor.
- First Appears
- Battlefield 2
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
World War I was the first conflict to make extensive use of CAS, albeit using relatively primitive methods. At the Battle of the Somme, 18 British armed reconnaissance planes strafed enemy trenches after surveillance operations. By 1917, the British debuted the first ground-attack aircraft, a modified F.E 2b fighter carrying 20 lb bombs and mounted machine-guns. Aircraft support was first integrated into a battle plan on a large scale at the 1917 Battle of Cambrai. The Germans adopted the powerful Hannover CL.II and built the first purpose-built ground attack aircraft, the Junkers J.I. During the 1918 German spring offensive, the Germans employed 30 squadrons of ground attack fighters. During the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of 1918, No 1 Squadron made six heavy raids in one day, dropped three tons of bombs and fired nearly 24,000 machine gun rounds.
In Their Own Story
During the inter-war period, CAS was used in the Polish–Soviet War, the Spanish Civil War, the Iraqi revolt of 1920 and the Gran Chaco War. The British used air power in colonial hotspots: the newly formed RAF contributed to the defeat of the Afghan military during the Third Anglo-Afghan War by harassing Afghani troops and breaking up their formations. Z Force, an RAF air squadron, supported ground operations during the Somaliland campaign, defeating the Darawiish king Diiriye Guure's insurgency. The RAF Iraq Command used air power to suppress the Great Iraqi Revolution of 1920. During the Spanish Civil War, German volunteer aviators of the Condor Legion developed close air support tactics that proved highly influential for subsequent Luftwaffe doctrine. U.S. Marine Corps Aviation was used as an intervention force during the Banana Wars, and in Haiti and Nicaragua they adopted the tactic of dive bombing.
Reader's Guide
CAS requires excellent coordination with ground forces, typically handled by specialists such as artillery observers, joint terminal attack controllers, and forward air controllers. World War II marked the universal acceptance of the integration of air power into combined arms warfare, with all major combatants having developed effective air-ground coordination techniques by the conflict's end. New techniques emerged, such as the use of forward air control to guide CAS aircraft and identifying invasion stripes, heavily shaped by the Italian Campaign and the invasion of Normandy. CAS continued to advance during the Cold War, especially the Korean War and the Vietnam War; major milestones included the introduction of attack helicopters, gunships, and dedicated CAS attack jet aircraft.
Did You Know?
- At the Battle of the Somme, 18 British armed reconnaissance planes strafed enemy trenches after conducting surveillance operations.
- The Germans built the first purpose-built ground attack aircraft, the Junkers J.I.
- During the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of 1918, No 1 Squadron dropped three tons of bombs and fired nearly 24,000 machine gun rounds in a single day.
- The RAF Iraq Command used air power as a cost-effective way of controlling large areas, suppressing the Great Iraqi Revolution of 1920.
- U.S. Marine Corps Aviation adopted the tactic of dive bombing during interventions in Haiti and Nicaragua.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Support a specific character in the game?
No, Support is a playable class archetype rather than a single named individual within the Battlefield universe. Players assume this role across various titles to fulfill essential squad duties during combat scenarios.
What are the primary responsibilities of the Support class?
Soldiers in this role specialize in resupplying ammunition for teammates and reviving downed allies using their medical kit. They typically wield light machine guns to provide sustained fire while maintaining squad mobility.
When did the Support class first appear in the series?
This vital archetype debuted in the original Battlefield 1942, establishing a legacy that continues through every major entry since then. It has remained a core component of gameplay mechanics for over two decades.
Why is the Support class considered crucial for team success?
Without their ability to extend squad endurance through ammo drops and health restoration, teams often run dry or fall behind in prolonged engagements. They act as the lifeline that keeps frontline operators fighting effectively under pressure.
Which factions utilize the Support role during missions?
The class is available across all major military factions, including the USMC, Russian Army, and various historical armies depending on the title. Regardless of allegiance, their function remains focused on sustaining combat effectiveness for their unit.
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