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Aye TR. The Sals had interservice rivalry also. It was up to the "Asesores" to try and overcome same. The El Sal Air Force owned not only all flying platforms, but all airborne and special operations troops as well. The Abn and SOG folks usually worked well toward the national interest, but often the TACAIR was not there to support the Inf Bdes or BIRIs. It all came to a head one day when Frank Pedrozo (OPATT, 5th BDE) unleased a verbal attack on the USAF advisor to the ESAF while we were attending a meeting of all MilGp folks from all around the country.
Methinks twas the first time it was brought to COL Steele's (COMUSMILGP El Salvador) attention.
The ES Air Force Cdr at the time had his "favorites." When they requested TACAIR, they got it. When anyone else requested, he would fail to provide. If I recall correctly, Frank got really ticked at the loss of some of fine infantry, because his counter-part could not get air support. (Gee, that's right out of PATTON!)
When I was working the GN, we knew the only support we would ever get would be organic. That's all we relied on, and all we expected. I even tried to get a US AC-130 to provide overwatch for my recon teams, and could not get them to play.
I personally believe that if the Colombians want to make some inroads, they should train up SOG / Phoenix - type "hunter-killer teams."
Gotta make do with what ya got. If we only have M1903 Springfield rifles, then that's what we use; and we make the best of them.
Ratman
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Ratman
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