Ditching Helos in the real world vs. simulation

[AMosely]

I've been watching a 4-hour long series on the Iranian hostage crisis (Guests of The Ayatollah) and spent a good hour reviewing 'Operation Eagle Claw' - the failed mission to rescue the hostages in Tehran on April 24, 1980.

I observed some parallels to BF2 that made me think about recent discussion concerning real world vs. simulation tactics.

Ditching helicopters, as was done in this operation, sometimes becomes necessary when the the equipment is damaged or unfit for service. This apparently happened regularly with the MH-53 transport choppers. Furthermore, part of the plan (which was aborted) for Eagle Claw was to ditch the MH-53 choppers in the Iranian desert and evacuate on a C130 fixed wing aircraft. So, abandoning valuable equipment does have its tactical purposes.

There was also a terrible accident that took place during this operation involving a damaged MH-53 and one of the C130 transports, killing 8 men. I noticed another parallel here - accidents are also a very real part of any simulation.

As a footnote, my intention here was to use a real world example for comparative purposes - certainly not to demean or judge any of the tactics involved in the failed rescue operation. I realize that nothing weighs more on any service personnel's minds than failure, and it is never to be taken lightly.

[marstein]

Cruise missiles are also very expensive ($500k -$1.9m just peanuts in the overall budget but I could retire on a couple of them). The computer, GPS, and all the expensive equipment inside is just blown up.
But then, when you think about it - all military equipment is ideally not used at all (it's the *defense budget* remember) so it will all rust to death eventually.

[icky]

I think the military could learn a few things from BF2. Why ditch a helo at all when you can fly a jet way up in the air and then parachute to your destination? Once there, you could have your troops spawn on you and avoid that risky trip completely.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Backlash-7]

Originally Posted by icky

I think the military could learn a few things from BF2. Why ditch a helo at all when you can fly a jet way up in the air and then parachute to your destination? Once there, you could have your troops spawn on you and avoid that risky trip completely.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Oh now that's just bad. *laugh* Although the military could learn a lot from watching my game play here. More to the point they could learn what NOT to do like being a bullet sponge.

[Rick_the_new_guy]

Yeah, i read the book delta force by Charlie Beckwith and Eric Hanney's Inside Delta Force.

Operation Eagle Claw was sadly a goat blank. The sand really hurt the sea hawk choppers. The weird thing is the casulities happen after the mission was aborted. Beckwith made the call to abort cause they would not have enough trasnports to get the job done. It was a close call but i thought it was the right one when i was reading the book. Tough breaks.

[heyob]

Originally Posted by icky

.... then parachute to your destination? Once there, you could have your troops spawn on you and avoid that risky trip completely.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I've got the same sense of humor as you! LOL.

On a serious note, I wish that mission had been successful.