air cover

American  

noun

1. the use of aircraft to protect ground or naval military operations.

2. the protection given by such aircraft.

---

air cover British  

noun

1. Also called: air support. 

   1. the use of aircraft to provide aerial protection for ground forces against enemy air attack

   2. the aircraft used in this

---

Example Sentences

“It feels like what they are saying may simply be air cover as they are trying to get this deal through regulation,” he said.

From MarketWatch

Western nations seeking to secure the route for maritime traffic could consider frigate patrols or escorts for a particular ship -- possibly with extra air cover.

From Barron's

Meanwhile, Downing Street has said the UK had also offered "further defensive air cover" to Bahrain from four extra Typhoon jets that are being sent to Qatar.

From BBC

It will be late Sunday and into next week when the Arctic air covers the whole of the UK.

From BBC

They could provide air cover, Cabell suggested, give the men a chance to unload their supplies and get off the open beach.

From Literature