Convoy escort in Iraq

[hist2004]

Question for those forum members who have some expertise in this area. Why aren’t these convoys
(both Military and civilian) accompanied by helicopter gunships? Are they too numerous for such an
escort? How much information needs to shared? (about convoy route). If certain routes are known
to be targets of insurgents, why aren’t sniper teams deployed in these area’s to deal with nighttime
implanting of IED’s?
During Operation Ernest Will (helicopter gunships support of tankers in the Persian Gulf in 1987 by
The U.S.Army’s SOAR) helicopters accompanied all tanker traffic. Would it be prudent to have all
convoy’s accompanied by Bradley’s (25mm) for enhanced firepower. Would it be too expensive or
not practical to have convoy routes observed by Predator or Global Hawk aircraft?

Regards,
Hist2004

[Spearin]

You simply can't employ them in that role because it is a waste. Attack helicopters are much better suited for attacking vehicles or buildings with specific military targets.

In this scenario in Iraq, if a convoy is ambushed in an urban area, fire will likely be coming from multiple buildings. Many of these buildings will house civilians. I don't think the Americans want to continue to increase the civilian death toll and further increase the amount of Iraqis against them.

It is just too hard to pinpoint the insurgents from a helicopter. More use from a ground vehicle such as a Stryker or Bradley.

That is just my opinion though.

[hist2004]

You simply can't employ them in that role because it is a waste. Attack helicopters are much better suited for attacking vehicles or buildings with specific military targets.

In this scenario in Iraq, if a convoy is ambushed in an urban area, fire will likely be coming from multiple buildings. Many of these buildings will house civilians. I don't think the Americans want to continue to increase the civilian death toll and further increase the amount of Iraqis against them.

It is just too hard to pinpoint the insurgents from a helicopter. More use from a ground vehicle such as a Stryker or Bradley.

That is just my opinion though.

Thanks for your response, I was thinking of the use of gunships for quick
reaction (firepower) and as a deterrent or intimidation factor.

Regards,
Hist2004

[perdurabo]

All main convoys in Polish led multinational division have helo assistance.

[Pooga]

I would be pretty easy using infrared. And the cannon on the Apache would be able to swivel to targets with the turn of a head. Are helos too vulnerable maybe?

[perdurabo]

I would be pretty easy using infrared. And the cannon on the Apache would be able to swivel to targets with the turn of a head. Are helos too vulnerable maybe?but why use apache? better use UH60 with guns and fast response force on board. Apache main role is srike tanks apc's etc not soft targets like rebbels.

[Spearin]

I would be pretty easy using infrared. And the cannon on the Apache would be able to swivel to targets with the turn of a head. Are helos too vulnerable maybe?

Can they see through walls and rooftops?

[duck]

Not claiming any expertise, but the security problem at the moment seems to be with the convoys hauling ammunition, food, fuel and water to the fighting troops in the Sunni heartland. The consumption of those commodities is higher during combat than if the units would be in a normal patrol-rest-training cycle. So, more convoys and the need for combat air support dictating availability of air assets. The PMC companies could step in but they must be reassessing the situation as well.

The ongoing operation in Afghanistan/Pakistan might provide another explanation. TF121 is employing a lot of the marksmen, SOAR personnel and SOF light infantry that might be useful in battling the insurgents in Iraq. Not to mention the limited supply of systems like the Global Hawk.

[hist2004]

An internal military report says Iraqi insurgents have grown more sophisticated in ambushing U.S. military convoys. Attackers are targeting small groups traveling without air cover and using a variety of tricks to get the convoys to slow down so guerrillas can spring a trap.
Iraqi fighters look for small vehicle convoys without air cover, according to the report on what the military calls Iraqi “TTP” — tactics, techniques and procedures.
The guerrillas tend to strike at night, using spotters with cell phones to alert attackers to approaching convoys. Some attacks involve visible roadside bombs set as bait to get convoys to slow down or divert into “kill zones” rigged with larger, better-hidden explosives. Guerrillas have even staged accidents to slow an approaching convoy.
The challenge posed by Iraqi tactics is that they keep changing. A high-ranking U.S. officer based in Iraq said Iraqi guerrillas rarely kill more than one American soldier in an ambush and often lose many of their own in a hail of return fire. An infantry squad of 15 to 20 soldiers is usually enough to repel any guerrilla attack, the officer said.

Obviously more soldiers are being killed and wounded as these attacks
escalate, but air cover seems to be a significant factor.

Regards,
Hist2004

[Yard Ape]

Question for those forum members who have some expertise in this area. Why aren’t these convoys (both Military and civilian) accompanied by helicopter gunships? Are they too numerous for such an escort? Some will be, but it is not economical to have every convoy of 4 - 6 trucks with helo over-watch. Convoy size & content will decide the level of security required and the threat will dictate the size of force needed to achieve that level.

Another factor is the number of soldiers that local commanders have to dedicate to RAS (rear area security). If all the bayonets are required at the front, then fewer are available as escorts (this is a reason why everyone must be a soldier first). A Stryker Bn in every heavy Div, and a Stryker Coy in each heavy Bde would be an excellent RAS force because its mobility would match the wheeled trucks typically in Convoys and its armour & troop carrying capacity is superior to the Hummer.