Lance Wiebe
Sr. Member
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 230
There is nothing good in this shell game. Nothing at all.
The ugly truth is that the Infantry Battalions simply ran our of people. There was no way to keep nine Battalions fully manned in their rifle companies, plus have their AT and Mortar and Pioneer platoons. Something had to change, so instead of giving the Infantry the numbers of personnel they needed, they simply cut positions.
In my opinion, removing the mortars, especially, was criminal insanity.
Mortars that belong to the Infantry Battalion are mortars that are in DIRECT support of the battalion, and the Battalion commander makes his plans accordingly, siting the mortars where they will best support his mission. Artillery assets are a Brigade/Division/Corps asset, and while at one time or another MAY be placed in direct support, they, at other times MAY NOT be in direct support. How is a Battalion commander supposed to rely on something he may or may not have? The other issue is speed. The Battalion, and Company commanders and even platoons and sections can call in fire missions to the mortar platoon, knowing that they will have round on the ground very quickly. Not too upset the gunners too much, but ever call in a Artillery fire mission? How long before effective fire was in place?
The bottom line is that every single thing on the battlefield is there for one purpose, and that is to support the Infantry. That includes armour, air support, artillery, you name it. When a Battalion commander screams for fire support, and can't get it because the Artillery are changing locations, or are supporting someone else at the time, well, I can understand him being upset.
Aside from all that, the Artillery can't even man every position they have, and they got more shoved on to them.
Another thing, why are we getting out of the air defense game? ADATS role being changed, and new ammunitions being provided for direct fire support and NLOS, Javelins trashed, 35mm trashed, are we now counting on the CF-18's to protect all of us now? What is going on?
It seems to me to be another way to cut capabilities, numbers and expense at the pointy end, so the fat end can enjoy themselves more.
The ugly truth is that the Infantry Battalions simply ran our of people. There was no way to keep nine Battalions fully manned in their rifle companies, plus have their AT and Mortar and Pioneer platoons. Something had to change, so instead of giving the Infantry the numbers of personnel they needed, they simply cut positions.
In my opinion, removing the mortars, especially, was criminal insanity.
Mortars that belong to the Infantry Battalion are mortars that are in DIRECT support of the battalion, and the Battalion commander makes his plans accordingly, siting the mortars where they will best support his mission. Artillery assets are a Brigade/Division/Corps asset, and while at one time or another MAY be placed in direct support, they, at other times MAY NOT be in direct support. How is a Battalion commander supposed to rely on something he may or may not have? The other issue is speed. The Battalion, and Company commanders and even platoons and sections can call in fire missions to the mortar platoon, knowing that they will have round on the ground very quickly. Not too upset the gunners too much, but ever call in a Artillery fire mission? How long before effective fire was in place?
The bottom line is that every single thing on the battlefield is there for one purpose, and that is to support the Infantry. That includes armour, air support, artillery, you name it. When a Battalion commander screams for fire support, and can't get it because the Artillery are changing locations, or are supporting someone else at the time, well, I can understand him being upset.
Aside from all that, the Artillery can't even man every position they have, and they got more shoved on to them.
Another thing, why are we getting out of the air defense game? ADATS role being changed, and new ammunitions being provided for direct fire support and NLOS, Javelins trashed, 35mm trashed, are we now counting on the CF-18's to protect all of us now? What is going on?
It seems to me to be another way to cut capabilities, numbers and expense at the pointy end, so the fat end can enjoy themselves more.