tag:www.thedonovan.com,2012://1/tag:www.thedonovan.com,2009://1.11521- 2012-01-06T18:11:30Z We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 Movable Type 4.12 tag:www.thedonovan.com,2009://1.11521 2009-11-02T13:46:47Z 2009-11-02T16:08:19Z

The Armorer http://www.thedonovan.com
As of today, there is a brigade (a small one by US standards - 2 infantry battalions, plus support, including artillery, helos, and UAVs - but still a brigade) of French troops operating under the command of the American general in RC-East. The French are responsible for Kapisa province and the Surobi district of Kabul province. Ever since they lost 10 troops in a battle in Surobi last summer, the French have, in the words of a 101st planner, "had their game face on." Kapisa and Surobi are key terrain immediately surrounding the capital, and are far from quiet areas.

This story ran in Stars and Stripes a couple of days ago.

And it should be noted that President Sarkozy has been considerably more stalwart and decisive on Afghanistan than The One.

Two minor notes:

1-The name TF Martel was rejected for political reasons.

2-As a red leg, I'm sure you'd love their Caesar howitzers. They're truck mounted, smart-round capable, and outrange our 777s.]]> tag:www.thedonovan.com,2009://1.11521-comment:94986 fdcol63 "Also, if the truck part of the unit has mechanical/battle damage that keeps it from moving , you just lost the whole gun, instead of hitching a towed gun to another prime mover."

Well, this is a problem that applies to tracked SPs, too. Ever pivoted in some sand or muck, and thrown a track?  LOL

]]> 2009-11-03T16:27:08Z 2009-11-03T16:27:08Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2009://1.11521-comment:94972 11B40
Back in my military days, there was a bit of light-hearted folk-wisdom about a tank being a radio-controlled, mobile artillery piece.  I forget how it went, but as each capability was lost, the "asset" was degraded nominally to its final status, rock. ]]> 2009-11-02T18:30:42Z 2009-11-02T18:30:42Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2009://1.11521-comment:94969 John (not the Armorer)
Caesar looks interesting as a concept.  Great mobility and probably fast to set up or change positions.  However,  the specs list 30 degrees for traverse (not sure if that is total, or +/- 30 degrees) which really limits its usefulness.  Also, if the truck part of the unit has mechanical/battle damage that keeps it from moving , you just lost the whole gun, instead of hitching a towed gun to another prime mover.
]]> 2009-11-02T16:50:29Z 2009-11-02T16:50:29Z