CNN: Apache helicopters shot up in Republican Guard attack

Live report from Karl Penhaul after Apache choppers attacked Republican Guards near Karbala (sp?). This is north of Najaf and WSW 70mi of Baghdad.

He reports that our Apaches were shot up pretty bad. The IRG put up a "wall" of AAA. After returning to base, Apaches were "strewn around" instead of being parked neatly. He wouldn't confirm that all our Apaches made it back.

"Unfortunately the reporters do not understand, AT ALL, what they are witnessing. That is a HUGE problem."

It is a HUGE problem for them (the reporters). Remember when our special ops guys and the Northern Alliance were "stymied" in the "quagmire" outside of Kabul? The Taliban kept feeding in troops against them, and our air kept chopping them up. Why would any rational American commander elect to change a situation like that. Wait a little while - the Republican Guard areas are gonna look like Highway of Death 2. Bank on it.

JDAMs hit GPS coordinates, which means a particular spot on the earth's surface. That is great for buildings and bridges and SAM sites. It is rather less useful against tanks, which move from moment to moment. The way you kill armor is to fire a specifically anti-tank missile, or a tank main gun round, at that particular point target.

The Iraqi's fight better in fixed defensive positions as was demonstrated in Desert Storm. Unfortunately for them, tank plinking by fixed wing aircraft was a concept that was mastered in Desert Storm. The tanks, dug into their revetments were easy targets. Hundreds were killed in this manner.

The firepower of the army, using its specialized weapons on the particular targets they are meant for, is enourmous. Higher even than that of the air force, it kills easily achieved per unit time. The air force has longer reach and is somewhat harder to hit back, so it is great for "going deep". But if you want to annihilate an enemy army you use the army - that's what the bleeding thing is for.

You use both. A corps commander, even a divison commander, tries to fight close and deep, though the depth of the enemies formations. Air Force and Navy aircraft are being called to perform more on-call CAS missions, with the Air Force also being able to go deep, as are the Army's ACR. A coordinated effort.

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