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Air support means boots on the ground to act in target acquisition and identification with laser spotters. Forward observers are also required if any sort of artillery is needed. They must be on the ground and close enough to validate any target and most importantly, to validate any bomb damage assessments.

Even with the advances in digital photography, it can only capture an instant in time. Think of it this way; in the past, racers needed to watch the gauges to monitor the health of their cars. Most often though, a racer needs to be watching the road. If in the heat of a major position battle with another car, the idea of peeking at the gauges goes by the wayside and when something starts to go wrong, the driver may never see it until something goes wrong.

Today’s drivers have this wonderful thing called data acquisition. An array of sensors and computerized collection of all sorts of data is manipulated by the fancy computerized dashes one sees many times mounted directly to the steering wheel. The system can be programmed to have the dash monitor everything while recording it for later analysis and even in some advanced systems, use of live telemetry so the engineers in the pits can keep their eyes on the car’s health while the driver takes care of the driving. The program allows set point limits for every sensor and also what the dash will report to the driver when an even starts to occur.

Forward observers and laser target identifiers are the ground level data acquisition system for the drivers of the planes. In addition to “painting” the targets, they can also instantly call in additional assets to finish the job while they are still there and not have to wait until the next day or two. If in the immediate aftermath of a target hit, something else is exposed that was not visible before, like a concealed enemy bunker, it can be painted for a hit as well.

I don’t feel we should be dictating the terms of engagement to our commanders but should instead be confident they want nothing to do with having to be writing the condolence letters to fallen families. The trouble we have had in the past is in confidence the anointed commanders would act as such. Which goes all the way to the top. As Trueman was fully aware, the buck stopped with him.

I am very confident that Mattis is very well aware and guided to do what is right and not just expedient. It is very obvious we have a cadre of nefarious characters in all halls of our government which are being weeded out as we speak and sleep. The Yemen raid is a very clear indicator in that they knew we were coming. We paid for that treachery with the life of a very special hero, and I can guarantee Mattis started the investigation the instant it was seen. I am confident that he and our President will clean the swamp before draining it and those nefarious bad players will be dealt with accordingly.

In the mean time, just be confident that if any boot is to hit the ground, it will only be because it is needed. Those of us who have been there are confident that the need is now well placed and go into it with eyes wide open.