According to the Air Force, nine out of 10 bombs and missiles fired in Southwest Asia have the advantage of support from live-streaming video seen by air crews and ground controllers alike, courtesy of Remote Operated Video enhanced Receiver (ROVER) links to cameras on close air support aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Ground controllers see the video on their laptops and can guide CAS to the target and provide instant battlefield assessment back to the pilot. As of this month, there are about 1,000—including Australian, British, Canadian, and US purchases—ROVER III models available, with more on order. (An earlier model also was used to support Hurricane Katrina recovery operations.)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.