I think both Iraq and former Yugoslavia are not the best cases for FACs. Coastal defence is not so easy if your opponent has full control of the open seas surrounding your land!

Let’s not forget this: the submarine remains the absolute weapon of sea denial. FACs, in an environment like the Aegean, may play a role similar to that of snippers in a land conflict. But I don’t see how a FAC force could hope to deny sea (and coast) control to a A/C carrier group stationed 200nm from the coast. You simply have 24/7 patrols by planes and helos, until you sink anything floating, and move on with your marine landing. End of story. :p

hmm, are we forgetting something here? 😀 i have constaintly stressed time and again that FACs are only worth anything in a real large-scale naval conflict if they are properly supported and not sent out on kamekazi runs by themselves. 😉

however, in these kinds of enagements, if i was the defending naval commander, i’d take a dozen 2208 kind FACs over any 3 or 4 corvettes. thats the point i was trying to make.