Which entity handles immediate air support requests and coordinates CAS sorties?

The Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) is the entity responsible for handling immediate air support requests and coordinating Close Air Support (CAS) sorties. The ASOC plays a crucial role in the integration of air power into ground operations, ensuring that the requests for air support are processed efficiently and effectively in real-time.

Typically, the ASOC acts as the critical link between ground forces and air assets. It operates at the tactical level, focusing on the immediate needs of ground commanders in the field. Upon receiving a request for air support, the ASOC assesses the situation, prioritizes the request, and coordinates the necessary air resources to respond. This includes directing aircraft to a specific location, providing target information, and ensuring that all necessary safety and deconfliction measures are in place.

The other entities mentioned have different roles in the overall air operation structure. For instance, a Wing Operations Center (WOC) focuses more on managing wing-level operations rather than direct coordination of ground requests. The Control and Reporting Center (CRC) is primarily concerned with airspace management and surveillance, while the Air Operations Center (AOC) manages the broader scope of air operations across multiple missions and theaters, not just immediate ground support. Therefore, the ASOC's dedicated focus on