Vignette:
OPERATION URGENT FURY:
AIR
SUPPORT
AIR SUPPORT
During a daylight movement to contact, the lead company in an infantry battalion received automatic weapons fire from buildings on high, relatively open ground several hundred meters to it's left flank. Navy fighter-bombers were orbiting nearby and responded to a call for fire support. Two aircraft made an initial approach along the axis of the ridge in question to confirm the target. The ground element confirmed their orientation, but due to the proximity of friendlies, they made a second trial approach to absolutely assure themselves. On the third run, the infantry took cover, but observed that for the first time the aircraft oriented on a hill further to the rear and fired the ordnance. In the absence of positive ground marking, a friendly command and control element suffered severe casualties including one soldier killed.
In
retrospect, the care taken with dry runs could have been complimented with
a near- ground impact artillery flare, a mortar WP mission, M203 smoke, or
any one of several other positive means of marking the target. Also, positive
marking of friendlies, such as VS-17 panels or colored smoke, could have made
a difference. Recent combat operations point out that more than ever before,
training must give leaders the seasoning that their predecessors acquired at
too high a price.
Table
of Contents
Chapter
1: Introduction and Historical Perspective
Chapter
2: Fratricide - Cause and Effect
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