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2006-07-04 Afghanistan
Brit troops 'desperately short of helicopters'
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Posted by Steve White 2006-07-04 01:56|| || Front Page|| [11128 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 What was that line about the Muslims not being afraid of the Russians, but being afraid of their helicopters?
Posted by gromky 2006-07-04 04:18||   2006-07-04 04:18|| Front Page Top

#2 As i pointed out months ago , serious lack of air support for the operation at hand . esp as we fighting in mountain terrain ..
Posted by MacNails 2006-07-04 04:29||   2006-07-04 04:29|| Front Page Top

#3 From speaking to mates the British troops are deperatly short of *

* = any bit of kit you care to mention.

Lions led by donkeys. Squaddies, do the UK a favour and blow up the MoD when you get back.
Posted by Bright Pebbles 2006-07-04 05:31||   2006-07-04 05:31|| Front Page Top

#4 A squadron or two of Warthogs and / or AC-130s would be rather helpful, as well. A little extra punch with long loiter time for those, "Oh look. They're rather bunched up over there." and "I say, we seem to have more targets than ammo this morning." moments.
Posted by Whonter Omavilet5844 2006-07-04 05:59||   2006-07-04 05:59|| Front Page Top

#5 Bright Pebbles:
From speaking to mates in any army anywhere, any time, you would likely hear that they were desperately short of everything. That doesn't make it untrue, but ....
Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore  2006-07-04 06:43||   2006-07-04 06:43|| Front Page Top

#6 I gather that the British troops are significantly under-equipped compared to US troops, but this is aimed mostly at the other NATO countries who are not contributing, I would guess.

US assets are being used hard, by all reports. Time for others besides the US and the UK to use theirs, such as they are.
Posted by lotp 2006-07-04 06:59||   2006-07-04 06:59|| Front Page Top

#7 Typical Brit situation. Looking to their European allies to pull their share of the load and not understanding that they're rooting for the enemy. Time for the Brits to leave Europe or join it. The third way is the worst of both worlds.
Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-07-04 07:32||   2006-07-04 07:32|| Front Page Top

#8 My Army Medic mate said he had NO oxygen, and had to give away his flak jacket. That's p155 poor.
Posted by Bright Pebbles 2006-07-04 07:52||   2006-07-04 07:52|| Front Page Top

#9 BP what does p155 stand for?

The Britts like most of the world does not have the rotary wing assetts like we do. Once a country works along side us for any period of time they quickly realize what an assett they are and lean on us for air support. When we start to reduce the number of aircraft in the AO is when they allies start to scream to their higher for support.
The story the other day about the Britts being left to fight the Taliban without A10 support was an eye opener for some. Tey had no support and were dependant on the US for help. Glad they finally got it.
Posted by 49 Pan">49 Pan  2006-07-04 10:34||   2006-07-04 10:34|| Front Page Top

#10 p155 looks to be leet. The key there is the alliteritive association with the word poor. As in Proper prior planning prevents P155 poor performance.
Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-07-04 10:42||   2006-07-04 10:42|| Front Page Top

#11 So say "PISS" dammit, we're all adults here.
Posted by Redneck Jim 2006-07-04 11:02||   2006-07-04 11:02|| Front Page Top

#12 but, demure adults
Posted by Frank G">Frank G  2006-07-04 11:06||   2006-07-04 11:06|| Front Page Top

#13 Thanks. I must be getting old. Missed that one.
Posted by 49 Pan">49 Pan  2006-07-04 11:29||   2006-07-04 11:29|| Front Page Top

#14 Definitely getting old, 49 Pan. Even I got it. ;-)
Posted by trailing wife 2006-07-04 11:56||   2006-07-04 11:56|| Front Page Top

#15 Does make you wonder whether a squadron of Tornadoes would help. The Tornado may be on the verge of being obsolete, but that won't matter in Helmand. Heck, a squadron of P-47s would work just fine.
Posted by Steve White">Steve White  2006-07-04 12:09||   2006-07-04 12:09|| Front Page Top

#16 Well, where is this "Great" Britain we have hearing about with their media dissing of America?
Posted by SamAdamsky 2006-07-04 12:12||   2006-07-04 12:12|| Front Page Top

#17 Must have been that Irish coffee. Good excuse for a senior moment. LOL.
Posted by 49 Pan">49 Pan  2006-07-04 14:38||   2006-07-04 14:38|| Front Page Top

#18 
"Heck, a squadron of P-47s would work just fine."

Even better would be a couple of squadrons of A-1 Skyraiders, if there are any still around. Lovely beast that!

Posted by Fur Trapper 2006-07-04 14:57||   2006-07-04 14:57|| Front Page Top

#19 Even this would be good.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-air-support/ww2-allied/mosquito.htm
Posted by Bright Pebbles 2006-07-04 15:56||   2006-07-04 15:56|| Front Page Top

#20 If you are into irony, the following would be an excellent choice, since it is heavily armoured and armed : http://www.vectorsite.net/avil2.html. The Stormovik was not used by the Soviets in Afghanistan, so there may not be any left. Or it could have just been typical Soviet stupidity that excluded them.
Posted by Shieldwolf 2006-07-04 16:14||   2006-07-04 16:14|| Front Page Top

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