A-10 operations and the battle for north Norway

This report outlines the strategic importance of North Norway to the outcome of any future NATO/Warsaw Pact war on the basis of its location adjacent to the western Soviet heartland, the major Soviet bases on the Kola Peninsula, and the Norwegian Sea. The report presents a scenario for a Soviet amphibious and land force attack upon the region, the object of which would be the control of the main air and naval bases in the region; and it discusses five missions that U.S. A-10 aircraft could perform to support the defense of North Norway. It concludes by recommending that (1) Alaska-based A-10 aircraft be selected to perform these missions because of unique similarities between the environments of North Norway and Alaska and (2) the present training of Alaska-based A-10 pilots be modified to prepare them for these missions.