AARs

[Pete]

Guys;

For the American Military to be so smart sometimes it can really totter on the edge of stupidity.

Take this bit... In 1983 our company went to Egypt on Bright Star 83. We were part of a sub-exercise down in the Sudan working with the locals and one of our Ranger battalions that jumped in.

After Bright Star was over there was a big article in the Army Times about lessons learned from working in the desert. One of the big ones was (too much oil on a weapon collects dirt and will cause it to jam). That "lessons learned" was repeated during the first and then the second Guft wars. Of course the British IDed that problem during WWI and then again in WWII.

Staffs love to have people in SF write AARs, post mission reports and whatever they call it nowdays but just think. After all that, is anybody reading them?

Pete

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

I have often thought that "lessons learned" were more appropriately labled "mistakes revisited". We are certainly getting a big blinding flash of the obvious on the need for UW which everyone outside of our community thought was a dead issue.

Jack Moroney

[QRQ 30]

I recall that the Brits took their weapons with them to the shower room and cleaned them with very hot water.

As an aside on the Jeep used by the Brits in the desert. The 10th conducted a Joint Operation with the SAS to recover the "Lady Be Good". The Brits drove their Land Rovers and we used the 3/4 ton, big brother of the M-38 Jeep. The 3/4's pulled several of the Land Rovers out of the desert. Many, myself included, feel the old 3/4 was the best utility vehicle ever used. The only problem was the dash which would attack your shins if you were over 3 feet tall.

[QRQ 30]

FWIW we had AAR's available on all targets in SOG. I read them, especially the lessons learned when alerted for a target. Of course the best AAR's were given in the Club.

[Tuukka]

Regarding past issues.

The fact that the SAS was so short in equipment for the first Gulf War, especially cold weather gear, is somewhat puzzling since the SAS has fought in desert climates from the days of David Sterling. Among operations after WW2 are operations in Oman on several decades for example and the fact that they trained in the desert yearly.

Of course the information on the lack of gear that i have is from public sources/books, so i have no exact information what the situation really was.

[TerribleTobyt]

Originally Posted by QRQ 30

FWIW we had AAR's available on all targets in SOG. I read them, especially the lessons learned when alerted for a target. Of course the best AAR's were given in the Club.

Terry/all-

I wish there existed a repository of those AARs for review today, but I unnerstan many of those documents were destroyed inna fire.

Still, guys like Steve Sherman have done yeoman work, and a great service, for those of us that are legit, documenting events, securing orders and preserving stuff such as "The Green Beret Magazine" from back in the day.

His collection of Team Photos from 1st Group is priceless!!!

And any Soggie will affirm that the NCO club was, indeed, the best place to get the straight poop on any given target, as well as tips of the trade, and general BS.

Plus there was nowhere else on earth anyone could learn the words to "Ol Blue", or entertain Maggie, or listen to Heroes!!! The kids today call it hangin out or kickin it.

Gues das wot we did back then!!!!!!!

The fact that a libation or three were/was consumed is jes an added bennie!!!!

Toby

[QRQ 30]

I understand that the Abn CPs recorded our radio transmissions. I can think of a few I hope they destroyed.

[TerribleTobyt]

Originally Posted by QRQ 30

I understand that the Abn CPs recorded our radio transmissions. I can think of a few I hope they destroyed.

Funny you should mention that. Commo guys that put in time at Leghorn did a fair amount of recording transmissions 'tween Covey and an RT or HF.

April of 74, I had jes retuned from a visit to the Group Dentist and repaired to the GBSPC. There I met Phil Woody, Steve Keever and Lynn Moss. After hugs and ear kisses, we had a beer or three.

In walks Lloyd O'Daniels, who sez they'd declared Fat Albert (Peter J Wilson) officially KIA, and the next day at JFK Chapel would be his Memorial Service.

After the service the next day, a bunch of us repaired to Charles "Hawkeye" Thomas' house to do "Ol BLue", drink a few beers, and remember.

Rich Ryan pulls out a bunch a tapes he recorded at Leghorn. Several Recon Teams
in trouble, and Operation Halfback.

Pretty hairy stuff!!!!!!!!!

Toby