SWJ SNQ # 4

Here’s the fourth edition of Small Wars Journal’s Saturday Night Quote (SWJ SNQ). Kudos to Colonel Phil Ridderhof. In the commentary section of SWJ Blog entry Marine Corps says, ‘Damn the G-RAMM, full speed ahead!’ Col Ridderhof had this to say:

“I think one of the hardest nuts to crack is that we have traditionally depended on suppressive fires to enable our maneuver. Will we have the ability to conduct suppression on suspected adversary positions, or will ROE demand clearly identifiable targets? Against a foe using a Hizbollah style defense, suppression would be the best way to get dispersed maneuver forces close enough to uncover the small enemy elements, especially those that will use the population as cover. Absent active suppression, we have to “lead with our chin” and allow them the first shot (basically an ambush) before going in. If the adversary has the advantage of choosing to initiate combat, it will be tough going, especially during initial assault/insertion phases. This is especially true if he is armed with a fair number of simple G-RAMMs, or coastal anti-ship missiles.”