Pathfinder arty is a whole different beast entirely - at least with frags and butterfly bombs you get the red smoke and also a plane drop and especially the frag bombing run offers plenty of reaction time if it is used in the middle of the map. Pathtfinder arty on the other hand has the exact same drop time no matter which part of the map so there is even less counterplay.
I think I&R pathfinders are the unit equivalent to Jaeger Armor Doctrine - it just has too many terrific abilities with great synergy condensed into a single package.
Maybe the artillery call-in could be added as a unit upgrade for the Pathfinders that also removes the camo so the opponent at least has a theoretical chance to dodge that balance delivery.
I would simply redesign the commander so that it not a better airborne commander:
Pathfinder removed->Riflemen can upgrade with "observation packages" unit gain +10 sight, can call in a light mortar barrage after officer upgrade, gains a 1 scoped rifle or has some increased far accuracy takes 1 or all weapon slots.
Combat Airdrop removed->Can now built or call in the support paras for 340
Raid tactic removed (can be move to mechanized without the infatry sight bonus)->Some vehicles can now launch flares