June 25, 2009
Bring the rain!
There are new rules for the use of air strikes in Afghanistan. Now, troops may only call in air strikes if there is the possibility of being over-run. Above is a report and a new video out of Afghanistan involving an air strike on Taliban troops.
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4 comments:
Makes one glad they are to old to be recalled.
But if I was a 22 year old butter bar again I would be volunteering.
I actually don't agree with the policy change on air strikes. I understand why it was done but still don't agree. It removes a tactical advantage. I'm sure the Taliban is happy to hear about it and will adjust their tactics to capitalize on it. Certainly air strikes have risks, but so does sending troops into a fight much more easily won by softing up the enemy with air strikes first. This rule could very cause needless casaulities. Of course what about Taliban leadership? Are we going to pass on the air strike when a Predator Drone finds one of them? What about a target possibly UBL?
And I'm not sure what this means to the Brits, they're the first to call in air strikes with the fighting gets hot.
Jeff
I think there has to be more to the rule than advertised or at least reported in the news. I would bet the rule is more like don't shoot near buildings unless your about to be overrun.
Notice in that clip it does not appear the US outpost was about to (or even in danger of) be(ing) overun. A fourteen man patrol could have caused some casulaties but it would be strange day when it could overun what looks like a platoon sized outpost. I understand why, but the rule does seem to be on the tight side.
Back when I was in my first unit the sergeants got together and explaind "real tactics" to the new lieutenent.
NEVER send a man to do a bullets job, bullets don't have families.
Love the bolded quote! So true. As one crusty old veteran Sergeant told me, "when in doubt, empty your magazine."
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