The Army Does It Differently

The Strategy Page ^ | 12/24/2010 | The Strategy Page

[BenLurkin]

Interesting!

[upchuck]

The Army and Marines... using common sense, again.

[PERKY2004]

Interesting. I forwarded the story on to my wonderful DH.

[USNBandit]

With the air force pooling resources is only a good idea when they need something, like control over Navy logistics aircraft. It is never a good idea when they might have to turn over something, like UAVs in this case.

personally I like the idea of officer mission commanders, at least, because I don't want enlisted guys getting in trouble trying to meet the ROE criteria for remote weapons employment. It isn't a superiority thing, it is a looking out for the kids thing. You know if they screw up they are going to get hammered.

[max americana]

This year, army brigades overseas began receiving the new 1,500 kg MQ-1C UAV. Called Gray Eagle, until recently it was informally known as the Sky Warrior. This UAV will supplement, and eventually replace the current 159 kg/350 pound Shadow 200s. These aircraft carry day and night cameras, and laser designators, but usually no weapons. Most of the new army heavy UAVs delivered over the next five years will missile carrying MQ-1Cs. By 2015, the army will have over 500 MQ-1Cs.
*

Deadly and easy to replace. The next war will be flown with these guys supporting ground troops. At least there wont be a DADT gay UAV..

[Starwolf]

The USN is not plannng on using officers as UAV drivers and are going with senior enlisted as well. For a while the USAF wanted 1000hr pilots to drive UAVs, but seems to have backed off a bit from that.

[dodger]

Just let the Gunney Sarges and other NCO’s free & loose to defend our nation (& indeed the Western world) and there is little about which to worry.

[JRandomFreeper]

I hate to pile on, being a former zoomie, but Army has this right, and AF has it wrong. CAS needs to be in the hands of the organic units on the ground. Not some hotshot supersonic jet jock.

CAP? AF all the way. Own the airspace so the low and slow can support the ground pounders. Bombs don't win wars. Bombs enable ground forces to more quickly shoot, move and communicate. But bombs by themselves don't win wars.

Boots on the ground taking and holding territory, and imposing our will wins wars.

/johnny

[eyedigress]

Johnny I trained hard with the Force. We are pretty damn smart and do ground force very hard.

[Puckster]

“Deadly and easy to replace.”

Deadly, yes, easy to replace?????

Actually, General Atomics can’t make them fast enough, which is why there are more of the MC-12’s coming into the Afghan theatre.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20090415.aspx

The demand is large.

[eyedigress]

Don’t say nothing. Merry Christmas!

[JRandomFreeper]

Back in 1980-84, during my first enlistment, I would have agreed with you.

During my second elistment, 18 years later (after 9-11, by the hair of my chinny, chin chin, based on age and waivers), and the whole Joint Task Force thing.... I gained some perspective. AF can't take care of Army boots or Marine boots nearly as well as Army or Marine close air support can. A Marine FAC on the ground with Marines talking to Marine pilots can do a better job than an AF para-jumper on the ground with Marines talking to Navy pilots. Although interservice operability is very important.

Personal opinion. But considered opinion.

Being older my second enlistment, I really read all the books on the NCO reading list, did the war college remote thing, and thought hard about logistics, strategy, and tactics.

I firmly believe USAF should own the airspace over the battlefield and let the organic units on the ground do close air support. Their guys, taking care of their guys.

Specialty stuff, like dropping the new SDBs from Angels 30 and hitting literally in the pickle barrel can be done by USAF. But low and slow needs to be Army or Marine. Supporting their own boots. AF has a role. But it needs to be tailored.

/johnny

[eyedigress]

Johnny I am old school FAC.. I took over the ranges in Southern Arizona AND taught those fighters how to hit. I get sick and tired of anyone telling the AF what or how to do it.

Merry Christmas!

[Puckster]

“Don’t say nothing.”

Here’s me saying nothing:

The Lord Bless you!

[eyedigress]

Merry Christmas to you!

[TankerKC]

When has the USAF ever tried to control USN logistics aircraft?

[Red Dog #1]

Preventing the dilution of airpower runs very strong in Air Force doctrine, and for good reason. (The Luftwaffe's misuse use during WWII provides a prime example.) And that's a large part of why CAS should primary be left as an internal function of the Army and Marines. CAP, strat airlift, strat bombing, etc, missions leave more than enough work for the Air Force.

I have to agree on your take with on letting the O's command. It's not that there aren't E's who could do the job, but the level of responsibly involved is literally above their pay grade.

[101voodoo]

The AF doesn’t like to get it’s hands dirty or roughed up for that matter.They are a force whose members are decidedly tilted toward the more cerebral among us.

Did you know there is even a hand cream dispenser in the cockpits of the aircraft?

[exDemMom]

Did you know there is even a hand cream dispenser in the cockpits of the aircraft?

That may be true, but I couldn't help but notice when I went to an Air Force base for my last PT test, no towels were provided in the gym. I've never seen an Army gym that doesn't provide towels.