Existing comment:
Armor Adapts -- Close-Range Engagements:
Operation Iraqi Freedom posed several challenges to American Armor personnel. Regularly trained to engage and destroy targets at long range with precision fire, tank and Bradley gunners found themselves thrust repeatedly into short range firefights of only a few hundred meters or less. Often such engagements erupted with little warning and hostile fire was suddenly received from multiple directions at once. During the drive to Baghdad, the thunder runs, and subsequent operations, tankers routinely engaged enemy personnel with M4 carbines and their sidearm. Moreover, fights generally occurred in an urban setting. Collectively, these experiences forced tank and Bradley crews to focus upon individual marksmanship and close range engagements. Armor training also changed to reflect these realities, placing greater emphasis upon personal weapons, including knives. Ironically, however, the Iraq experience has increased the desire for armor in both urban and non-urban environments. The heavy armor and weaponry of the tank and Bradley have made them invaluable on today's battlefield. |