I saw an oped today stating "How many MK-84s (i.e. 2,000 lbs bombs) did the U.S. use in urban warfare in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan? Virtually none." That is pretty crazy. While not recorded if they were dropped in rural or urban areas, the U.S. dropped thousands just in the invasion phase of Iraq. Actually 14 x 5,000 lbs bombs and 5,460 x 2000 lbs bombs. Many on military targets in cities (Baghdad, Nasiriyaa, Basra, etc). The U.S. dropped 4 x 2,000 lbs on a building in Baghdad based on "time-sensitive intelligence that some senior Iraqi officials, possibly including Saddam and his two sons, were there." We dropped others on command centers. GBU 31 – (2,000lbs) – 5,086; GBU 10 – (2,000lbs) – 236; EGBU-27 – (2,000lbs) – 98; GBU 24 – (2,000lbs) – 23; GBU 27 – (2,000lbs) – 11; MK 84 – (2,000lbs) -- 6; GBU 28 – (5,000lbs) – 1; GBU 37 – (5,000lbs) – 13 The question I would ask is how many targets did the U.S. prosecute in bunkers/tunnels that required large munitions to penetrate the ground. Keep in mind that most bunker busting munitions don't penetrate much more than 30 - 100 ft or 12 - 20 inch concrete depending on the size of the round. A 5,000 lbs GBU-72 open source 100ft. A 2,000 lbs GBU-48 open source 50ft. Source for invasion of Iraq in 2003: https://lnkd.in/eZ_6gf_k
Wow if there were only a common data platform to reccord strikes and BDA that could do analysis based on BDA, CDE and methods of employment to have quantifiable information to know what is effective and what isn’t. Having only done a hundred or so targeting packages and understanding data analytics now it would have been way easier to have a stream lined method of BDA that gets not only immediate but accurate damage assessments to the top of the food chain. Methods that don’t include some wonky lost along the way email chain. Idan C When we invaded Iraq there was not tunnel warfare but they did have a lot of bunkers. But the majority of the military hardware was destroyed within the first 72 hours. The wieirdest thing about Iraq was that after taking over a school for a makeshift battalion FOB it was evident by the murals on the wall that they indoctrinated hatred for America into the children.
John, in Iraq were there enemy fighters hiding in underground tunnels?
This is what happens when someone with an axe to grind opines in bad faith to manipulate others.
OPSEC....DONT HELP THE CHINESE/RUSSIANS This should have been asked if you have experience with type of attack please contact me in a more secure methodology.
Great post 🙏🙏
John Spencer, Another brilliant post. Thank you.
full stack operational problem solver
1moGBU-31s were the weapon of choice in 2015 in urban environments in Iraq and Syria. That was because they did a great job at killing the target while minimizing collateral damage. If what you read was in regards to Israeli use of 2,000 pound class weapons, then the chances are that the reporter didn't inquire as to why 2,000 pound class weapons are used in urban environments and how they are used to minimize collateral damage.