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To: VaBthang4
There is what they have, what we should have, and what we actually have.

They have AK-47s, belt-fed 30 cal LMGs (which punch through the side of huts), heavy 14.5mm AA MGs, RPG launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, and 122mm MRLs. Some aren't very mobile, so they dig in, in well hidden bunkers with alternate firing positions, etc.

We should have sniper rifles with night vision in every fire team (trumping AKs with range), our own belt-fed MGs at platoon level (to hose huts), mounted and dismounted 50 cals (to command from ridges), 40mm grenade launchers (to suppress anything), ATGMs in every squad (to take out bunkers and heavy weapons at range), 120mm mortars with smart rounds at the company level (to plaster mortar positions etc), counterbattery radars that work even in mountains (vs. mortars and MRLs), instant response counterbattery fire (for MRL raids in particular - air is way too slow), UAVs for every platoon (to spot firing targets in action, not just hunt in rear areas), and overwhelming air power on top of all of it.

What we've actually got is 5.56mm magazine fed SAWs, AT-4s, 60mm mortars, counterbattery radars that don't work in mountains, a handful of UAVs for special forces, and long communication chains to overwhelming air power trying to make up for all the other deficiencies.

If we had what we should have, we could trump every weapon in their arsenal with a deployable counter down at the low echelons actually engaged. Instead, we get pinned down by superior heavy weapons until the air force arrives, when up against anything beyond a few guys with AKs.

Welcome to the faster lighter modern military, which gets to the point of engagement lickety split, then wallows there helplessly until the flyboys pull their fat out of the fryer...

25 posted on 11/08/2002 12:23:53 PM PST by JasonC
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To: JasonC
The Marine Corps has it's own weapons platoon for each company that is outsourced to each platoon. They bring the m-60, two different anti-Armour weapons [I dont remember the names] and heavier mortars.

The Marine Corps is also developing plans to equip one or two men per squad with a long range rifle and night vision capability to spot targets and cover squad and fireteam movement.

And the one thing we are now moving into that nobody has...and almost trumps all else...Comm. and situational awareness down to the individual soldier.

27 posted on 11/08/2002 1:38:15 PM PST by VaBthang4
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