Tonbstone
Harsh; Yes, but with good reason:
"The E3D fleet act as good COMAO managers & they are excellent for CAS stacking etc"
Sounds like good exercise speak to me as not seen it operationally... Apart from defending us from a Viking II attack they are a nil requirement in the current and future ops given that any mushroom role is usually filled by an especially useless NATO or US contingent.
"talking to me in the background" ...this hardly sounds like an operationally efficient asset, but does remind me of their role in in Allied Force.... The one when I was almost taken out by an F16 and JSTARS within 30 mins due to "screen clutter".
I do agree with your ground trade supporting aircrew (ie fighter controller) v WSOp comment though.
Sorry about my negativity, but I struggle to see their relevance given the current op tempo and their non-op chest expanding. Seasons greetings (even to you shrooms).