I wonder how impressive that really is, though. Israel isn't that wide to begin with, it's something like 71-85 miles at its widest point, which isn't the border with Syria. Combine this with the fact that the war started as a surprise attack by the Arabs, and that the Israelis were fending off more than one attacker, I'm not sure Syria's performance was all that good. That's especially true since the Israelis counterattacked into Syria. I was actually far more impressed with the Egyptians' ability to pull off a surprise contested river crossing of the Suez.
Point In Fact. However, the Syrian made a deliberate assault through a prepared, deliberate defense in depth. This is an absolute classic modern assault on a well prepared defense. Meanwhile in Sinai, the Egyptians waited till AFTER the Syrians attacked to kick their assault off. Also the flow of initial reinforcements from the IDF call up initially went to the Golan, while trading land for time in Sinai. I also spent some time talking with some of ODA that was assigned to 'liaison' with the Syrian Armour Division during DS/DS. Of all the other coalition forces, the Syrians were the most disciplined.
Roger. I never worked with the Syrians, but I dealt with the Iraqis (post-invasion) the Egyptians and the Jordanians, I kind of felt the Jordanians had their act together the best. Their country was cleanest, at least. ;)
US Navy didn't fare so well the last time the flew over Syrian trained ADA folks.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Goodman
This would be more like the war with Serbia in 1999--lots of standoff work, cruise missiles, and patience. The Syrian IADS is nothing to trifle with.Syria uses a lot of older single-digit SAM systems--SA-2/3/5/6--capable enough, but older systems with known weaknesses and exploitations, as demonstrated by Orchard in 2007.Syria started upgrading their IADS after that, but never really got the chance to finish before this rebellion flared up. They did, however, get their hands on some good equipment. The Pantsir is probably what popped the Turkish RF-4C.Short ranged, but a very, very good system there.Like a Tunguska on steroids.They also bought the S-300; export version of the SA-10 or SA-20, depending on the missile purchased and upgrades.Good long range SAM system.And, of course, the requisite mega-sh!t ton of various MANPADS, everything from the SA-7 to the SA-18, and every form of AAA ever created by the Soviets. There are questions regarding maintenance practices and training, but it's probably smarter to assume they know what they're doing with the equipment until we know for certain that's not the case. By no means a walk in the park, but certainly not unbeatable, either.
One would think that our forays into RP6 during the late 60's and early 70's taught the world the validity of a layered air defense network. Except the US...AAA is apparently beneath us.
Been a loooonnngggg time since US troop have had to contend with enemy air. Artillery (rockets and the like) yeah, but it's been since '91 that an enemy air force has even tried to launch an air attack on us. It's hard to get them to even launch interceptors on us any more. Air superiority is nice, so long as we can keep it.
MiG-29s launched towards Bosnia, but I never found out if they were on a strike or simply intercept; I am not sure about that one. The one I'm referring to is the Iraqi Mirage F-1 run down the gulf in '91 the Saudis ended with an F-15. Last one I know of that actually got close-ish.
I've got a book written by an ex fighter pilot who describes all the US kills from after Vietnam to the present. I'm sure there were quite a number of close ones but I'll have a read tonight and see.
The USAF did a study about all USAF air to air engagements and USN/USMC engagements where guns or missiles are actually fired called Project Red Baron. Apparently it has been declassified. The documents in their original form were each in their own 3 inch binder. It will take a few minutes to down load. Volume 1- http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADC003627 Volume 2- http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADC003628 Volume 3- http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADC003629 The stuff is kinda geeky, but if your into air to air shit this stuff right up there with cold beer, rolled toilet paper, and sex (with a human female weighing less than 150lbs).
So what do you all think? Is Syria really dumb enough to overtly use chem weapons on its own people right now? http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_new...-syria-moving-chemical-weapons-stockpile?lite
