01.50 - Two GBU-38 hit the target. 

 

correction, F-15 guncam.

 

 

 

Timeline:



20.00 - A afghan source reports that two fuel trucks have been kidnapped in Aliabad, south of the Bundeswehr camp.



21.14 - On demand of German forces a US B1 Bomber (Which previously was in the region to support German troops) Nickname "Bone 22" is searching for the two trucks, but can't find them.



22.00 - The source calls again, tells the Bundeswehr that the two trucks are stuck in a river.



00.00 - "Bone 22" has found the two trucks stuck in the river, broadcasts the footage live to the German camp in Kunudz. Commander Georg Klein is watching the footage live, his nickname is "Red Baron".



00.48 - "Bone 22" returns to the base because it run out of fuel.



00.50 - "Red Baron" demands air support again, says that there are troops in contact.



01.08 - Two US F15 arrive over the scene, codename "Dude 15" and "Dude 16". The guncam footage is again broadcasted to "Red Baron" in the German camp. The F15's report no friendly forces in the area, and around 50 insurgents. The German command gives them the order to ready 6 bombs.



01.30 - "Red Baron" reports details about his wishes on payload etc and the target. He demands fast air support.



01.36 - The pilot asks if he just should do a strave run to scare the persons on the ground. "Red Baron" denies this.



01.46 - The pilot asks if the persons around the trucks are a imminent threat. "Red Baron" gives the command to release the bomb.

So German forces now *demand* US B1 bombers come and bomb. They *demand* this and *demand* that. Then GERMAN commanders *ORDER* US pilots to drop bombs? I find that EXTREMELY hard to believe? Somehow I think US commandewrs will be telling US forces when to and when not to drop their bombs and I got a feeling German forces *request* assistance when needed form US forces. Not demand it.

beazz

Maybe you're right GF. It just struck me as extremly unrealistic for Any foreign military to be giving orders to US aircraft to actually bomb anything.

it happens.  I've seen transcripts of engagements where personnel (and foreign resources) were at risk of being over -run and asked for immediate fire support over their position (something that airforce pilots universally would be very very twitchy about doing.)

in those transcripts they're not requesting - they're pretty well demanding that they get it here and now.  the urgency in the request is reinforced by the violence and colour of the words used to get attention. :)

Maybe ROE policy has changed to first include a strafing run going forward?  That part of the timeline seems to be the obvious, 'huh'??  Is there any elaborated official answer as to why no strafe?  Maybe there was some manpads concern under that scenario making it unacceptable risk, etc? 

 

A couple of considerations for conjecture sake:  Would a 30mm gun turret in the belly of a B-1B be a relevant or even feasible ops upgrade?  When in doubt, maybe some sort of "Warning: clear this area.  It will be engaged in 5 minutes" leaflet bombs (complete with animated figures running and explosions) could be first dropped in future?

Maybe ROE policy has changed to first include a strafing run going forward?  That part of the timeline seems to be the obvious, 'huh'??  Is there any elaborated official answer as to why no strafe?  Maybe there was some manpads concern under that scenario making it unacceptable risk, etc? 

 

A couple of considerations for conjecture sake:  Would a 30mm gun turret in the belly of a B-1B be a relevant or even feasible ops upgrade?  When in doubt, maybe some sort of "Warning: clear this area.  It will be engaged in 5 minutes" leaflet bombs (complete with animated figures running and explosions) could be first dropped in future?