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Post by iraqvet2003 on Jun 11, 2008 14:50:11 GMT -5
There have been a bunch of posts regarding Pres. Clinton and the military action he authorized in the Balkans and against Iraq.
I'd like to ask a question: Does anyone still believe that "strategically bombing" the enemy is a viable tactic when trying to restore order?
Maybe because I'm a ground-pounder I believe that nothing beats boots on the deck when attempting to secure a region. One good thing that will come out of the GWOT is that the military will finally break away from it's Cold War Model. I mean, up until OIF, the Reserves were still structured to "reinforce the Active Component to repel the Red Army as it advances the Fulda Gap!"
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Post by jgaffney on Jun 11, 2008 15:42:03 GMT -5
Clinton's air war in the Balkans, and his strikes against Bagdhad in 1998, show the limited uses of air power. Sure, it's a sanitary war, with great CNN footage and we'll all be back before dinner. But, like you said, it takes boots on the ground to control a country and establish order.
We jumped off with OIF with too few troops - Rumsfield's mistake - but we corrected with the surge. The measure of an army is how fast it can adapt to the enemy's tactics. Because, as you know, in any plan of battle, the enemy gets a vote, too.
In spite of the wailing from the progressives, our current tactics in Iraq are proving successful and the country is rapidly approaching the point where only a small contingent of US soldiers will be required.
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Post by saunterelle on Jun 11, 2008 16:00:36 GMT -5
Uh, jgaffney, be careful not to get too optimistic too soon. Violence levels in Iraq are only down to what they were in June 2006, still unacceptably high. I'm glad to hear we had far fewer American troops killed last month than usual, but claiming we are rapidly approaching the point where only a small contingent of US soldiers will be required is a little far fetched.
The "shock and awe" strategy at the beginning of this war was an attempt to keep it clean and quick. A massive number of troops need to be on the ground in order to secure the region. This is something many military commanders had mentioned and speculated upon but it fell on deaf ears in the Bush Administration.
Iraqvet, interesting point about breaking away from a Cold War model.
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Post by mrroqout on Jun 11, 2008 16:17:40 GMT -5
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Post by saunterelle on Jun 11, 2008 16:26:03 GMT -5
Yes, I said I'm glad to see far fewer American troops killed last month, but it isn't time to get all jubilant. Lets see how next month and the month after go. This could simply mean the enemy is regrouping or changing strategies.
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Post by bolverk on Jun 11, 2008 17:40:14 GMT -5
Or, it could mean that Iraqis really want peace, and are cooperating with our people. And that insurgents are not being tolerated any longer. Wouldn't that be wonderful, another democracy in our world. Cool.
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Post by saunterelle on Jun 11, 2008 17:46:20 GMT -5
Hopefully you're right bolverk!
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 11, 2008 19:58:46 GMT -5
I agree Iraqvet, it takes men on the deck to secure a place. Air power may make it easier, but it won't take and hold ground. Nor will it be able to win the hearts and minds of the people.
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Post by Mink on Jun 11, 2008 23:24:52 GMT -5
There have been a bunch of posts regarding Pres. Clinton and the military action he authorized in the Balkans and against Iraq. I'd like to ask a question: Does anyone still believe that "strategically bombing" the enemy is a viable tactic when trying to restore order? Maybe because I'm a ground-pounder I believe that nothing beats boots on the deck when attempting to secure a region. One good thing that will come out of the GWOT is that the military will finally break away from it's Cold War Model. I mean, up until OIF, the Reserves were still structured to "reinforce the Active Component to repel the Red Army as it advances the Fulda Gap!" Could you please re-phrase in layman terminology? What is GWOT, OIF? |
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Post by iraqvet2003 on Jun 12, 2008 7:31:39 GMT -5
Sorry Mink.
GWOT: Global War on Terror (the overall term for the current conflict we are in)
OIF: Operation Iraqi Freedom (the overall term of the conflict in Iraq as part of the GWOT)
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