Originally Posted by
jungle
To even suppose that war waged in Iraq was a challenge to our forces is amazing. The war was over in two weeks(both times). The second effort would not have been required had tactics dictated action rather than PC doubletalk. Converting a bunch of death cult psychotics to civilization has taken longer.
Both wars (the major combat phase of OIF) were mech/armor engagements. The US has some tremendous technical advantages compared to the second-rate soviet hardware used by the Iraqis...
Tanks powered by jet engines.
Reactive Armor.
Automated tank fire control systems
Advanced sensors.
High Alt/Space-based sensors for intel.
Air Superiority...ie complete freedom to use tacair against Iraqi armor/mech.
Stealth to evade ADA/SAMs.
Additionally southern Iraq is the PERFECT environment for our high-tech systems...it is flat as a billiard table so there are few opportunities to play terrain and environment to your favor. The guy with the best sensors and longest range weapons will see and shoot the other guy first.