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Not sure how accurate this recap is, but as a JTAC, I can tell you it's common to use foreign air supp’t. It's correct to assume that /1
the French may not have been authorized to go kinetic (drop bombs/gun strafes). Each country, unless operating under NATO or another /2
coalition's) rules of engagement, makes up their own ROE. I worked with many different counters are support over my 4 deployments. What I /3
can tell you is working with the French pilots to conduct CAS is one of the biggest obstacles I came across due to the language barrier. /4
I pride myself for being able to understand accents, but I've actually sent French planes away because the pilots English was so bad it /5
was a safety issue to continue working w/them. Add in possible radio interference, small arms/crew served weapons fire, & running around /6
and you would have had a HIGH RISK of fratricide if the French aircraft could have provided CAS. I hate to admit it, but I actually /7
chuckled at a French soldier who told me his comrade died because the conversation moved on & I was just nodding and smiling to be polite./8
Now that was 100% my fault (& I did get a chance to apologize), but that's what these guys were up against... *Although*, just because /9
the French weren't authorized to go kinetic, doesn't mean they couldn't have provided overwatch & offered NON-KINETIC air support. /10
