Lets take a quick look at two of the differing oppinions of modern warfare: Air Bombardment and Ground Control.
Air Bombardment:
I have to look back to WWII to see how truly effective this is. A small group of men on the ground having the ability to iniate a shelling with (somewhat) controlled accuracy. Now, a single soldier with a radio can call down a firestorm of Tomahawk's to rain death upon an enemy with surgical precision. What do you need to accomplish this? A group of men on the ground, satelite imagery, at the least, a local asset to assess the target, time the strike, and observe comlpetion. At risk? A small group of personel. Cost? Somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple million (USD) . Major benifit? The small number of persons involved=low number of friendly casualties=happy populace (as long as you're "winning")=votes=happy political figure(s). Downside? This shit takes forever if you don't have the assets to tell the pushbutton guys WHERE, WHAT, or WHEN to strike. As time goes on, populace becomes dissatasfied, questions political figure(s), who scramble around like headless chickens trying to blame SOMEONE, and entire effort becomes less effective.
Ground Control:
Soldiers with Guns, Tanks, Rockets, Bombs, Sharp Sticks, and all kinds of assorted toys on the ground kicking enemy ass. Nothing fancy, just flying lead. And, historically, may the team with the best training and equipment win. (NOTE: As far as troop stregnth, quantity has a quality all its own.) At risk? Sons & Daughters. Cost? Still not cheap, but cheaper than X number of precision-guided ordanance. Major benifit? There is nothing more dangerous than a Marine with his Rifle. Physically and Psychologically, if you see a soldier with his weapon, you are less likely to do something to piss that soldier off. Downside? Soldiers need R&R, as well as a normal rotation, support, and a mission with realistic goals.
So, what do you think? I know I'm missing (A LOT) of information here. So please, help me fill-in-the-blank, and give me your oppinions.
Thank you for your time and attention.
-ET3
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Air Bombardment:
I have to look back to WWII to see how truly effective this is. A small group of men on the ground having the ability to iniate a shelling with (somewhat) controlled accuracy. Now, a single soldier with a radio can call down a firestorm of Tomahawk's to rain death upon an enemy with surgical precision. What do you need to accomplish this? A group of men on the ground, satelite imagery, at the least, a local asset to assess the target, time the strike, and observe comlpetion. At risk? A small group of personel. Cost? Somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple million (USD) . Major benifit? The small number of persons involved=low number of friendly casualties=happy populace (as long as you're "winning")=votes=happy political figure(s). Downside? This shit takes forever if you don't have the assets to tell the pushbutton guys WHERE, WHAT, or WHEN to strike. As time goes on, populace becomes dissatasfied, questions political figure(s), who scramble around like headless chickens trying to blame SOMEONE, and entire effort becomes less effective.
Ground Control:
Soldiers with Guns, Tanks, Rockets, Bombs, Sharp Sticks, and all kinds of assorted toys on the ground kicking enemy ass. Nothing fancy, just flying lead. And, historically, may the team with the best training and equipment win. (NOTE: As far as troop stregnth, quantity has a quality all its own.) At risk? Sons & Daughters. Cost? Still not cheap, but cheaper than X number of precision-guided ordanance. Major benifit? There is nothing more dangerous than a Marine with his Rifle. Physically and Psychologically, if you see a soldier with his weapon, you are less likely to do something to piss that soldier off. Downside? Soldiers need R&R, as well as a normal rotation, support, and a mission with realistic goals.
So, what do you think? I know I'm missing (A LOT) of information here. So please, help me fill-in-the-blank, and give me your oppinions.
Thank you for your time and attention.
-ET3
[/b]