My admiration to the IDF troopers who, under very difficult
'circumstances', went into S Lebanon to flush out a very elusive
enemy. But still, looking at the clips and the animation taught me
something:
a) NVGs - I noticed that not all the IDF troopers
are equiped with NVGs (cost aside, please) esp when the raid is
conducted at night, they are like 'blind'. No idea 'who-is-where'
and 'what'?
=> Instead of being
independent fighting force, the 'inability' to see makes them
huddle together (?)
b) Poor coordination(?) - The part where the
trooper said "aren't the Golani Brigade supposed to be covering our
left?"
=> the confusion that they are
'exposed' and thus possibly have to worry that their left flank is
exposed.
b) Discipline - During the firefight, people are
shouting.
=> Understand it is 'pretty
tough to keep cool' under fire, but it all adds to unnecessary
confusion and may even effect fellow troopers' morale.
c) Poor judgement (poor intel?) or even naiveness (on
troopers' part). On the part that the troopers were
confused over the identity (in IDF uniforms) 2 Hezbollah troopers
in the room.
=> It is a known Hezbollah
building, and if there is no pre-known info of IDF presence
operating in the building, do the IDF expect to find IDF personnel
in the room?
=> Lesson: If no info of own friendly troops in the building,
one has to take all 'other' personnel (even if wearing the uniform
of own's uniform) as hostile.
=> PLEASE don't intro the concept of friendly fire here. READ:
YOU'RE THE ONLY KNOWN FRIENDLY FORCE OPERATING IN THE BUILDING AND
YOU ARE LEADING THE CHARGE, DO YOU EXPECT THE OTHER PERSON STANDING
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM TO BE YOUR OWN?
d) Clearing room. Eveon when Hezbollah combatants
fired through the door, the IDF troopers should have fired a
heavier round into the room rather than lobbing grenades.
=> Concept borrowed from Hezbollah. Perhaps the IDF should have
fired a LAW into the room.
=> New uses for SAF's LAWS? Even
though the MATADOR has replaced the LAW, seems like Hezbollah has
'taught' us that the LAW is pretty handy in urban
warfare.
e) Calmness of the IDF MO.. The MO's slow and calm
voice is very comforting to the injured soldier and may even helped
to calmed the situation. At least the MOD didn't screamed orders
like "Oh SHUT UP SOLDIER! It's just a slight wound nothing
serious!"
f) Lastly, the bright lights of the Israeli Border towns is a very
simple message to the combating trooper (esp when this trooper is a
reservist) on why they are engaging the battle into Labanon. (Read:
We're doing this so the folks can sleep peacefully' [sic]'
My thoughts.
