What is involved in Close Air Support operations?

Close Air Support (CAS) operations are specifically designed to assist ground troops in their combat operations. This form of air support involves the use of aircraft to deliver firepower that directly engages enemy forces in proximity to friendly ground forces. The primary objective of CAS is to enhance the effectiveness of ground troops by providing them with immediate air support that can be tailored to their needs in real-time combat scenarios.

Ground troops rely on CAS to help suppress enemy forces, destroy targets that threaten their mission, and provide a tactical advantage on the battlefield. The coordination required between ground troops and air support units in CAS operations demonstrates the effectiveness of combined arms warfare, where different military branches collaborate to achieve a common objective.

In contrast, the other options involve missions that do not fall under the definition of Close Air Support. Naval mine operations pertain to naval warfare tactics, reconnaissance missions focus on intelligence gathering without direct engagement, and surface clean-up operations relate to environmental or logistical tasks, none of which involve direct support to ground troops using firepower.