Posted on May 29, 2015
What does "airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage" really mean?
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For a few weeks at least the DoD News service emails have included the phrase "airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage" usually associated with attacks against small tactical units. I understand how occupation of land or the short-time potential of bringing direct or indirect fire limits the use of terrain [that implies real time observation]; but, I am not certain what the phrase means or how long the tactical advantage will be retained after the aircraft depart the AO.
[5/29/2015 update to question] The phrase seems to be focused on denying ISIL offensive capabilities.
May 28 - Near Tal Afar, Iraq an airstrike struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
May 14 - Near Asad, Iraq two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and occupied land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage
May 11 - Near Mosul, Iraq two airstrikes struck an ISIL fighting position and struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
May 5 - Near Ar Raqqah, Syria three airstrikes struck land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
Contrasted with -- May 5 - Near Mosul, Iraq seven airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL defensive position.
I certainly am hopeful for the strategic and operational defeat of ISIS. I hope the use of the phrase means something tangible and is not merely part of an information or deception campaign.
[5/29/2015 update to question] The phrase seems to be focused on denying ISIL offensive capabilities.
May 28 - Near Tal Afar, Iraq an airstrike struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
May 14 - Near Asad, Iraq two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and occupied land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage
May 11 - Near Mosul, Iraq two airstrikes struck an ISIL fighting position and struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
May 5 - Near Ar Raqqah, Syria three airstrikes struck land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
Contrasted with -- May 5 - Near Mosul, Iraq seven airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL defensive position.
I certainly am hopeful for the strategic and operational defeat of ISIS. I hope the use of the phrase means something tangible and is not merely part of an information or deception campaign.
Tactics
Military History
11A: Infantry Officer
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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About the only thing in my mind would be taking out a key bridge or destroying a key fortification. Or maybe hitting an weapons depot.
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Sounds like knocking out bridges, buildings, etc. to me.
"Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL boat, an ISIL river crossing point and an ISIL vehicle."
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128934
"Near Fallujah, three airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL boat, an ISIL river crossing point and an ISIL vehicle."
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128934
Airstrikes Deny ISIL Forces Tactical Advantages
U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.
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LTC Stephen F.
Capt Seid Waddell, I would agree that destroying a bridge and destroying ferry operations or boating and docking would create a tactical advantage. I noticed the phrase began to be used on May 3.
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communication satellites, oil wells that they using to generate revenue and other assorted things like that. Personally Sir, I think airstrikes won't win this alone.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thanks CPT Ahmed Faried, I concur that I don't think air power alone is sufficient.
I understand that satellites can provide real time feedback about situations on the ground. I hope there are trustworthy Iraqi and Kurdish, etc. near rapid response forces and "ground based observation" to provide follow-up action as necessary.
I understand that satellites can provide real time feedback about situations on the ground. I hope there are trustworthy Iraqi and Kurdish, etc. near rapid response forces and "ground based observation" to provide follow-up action as necessary.
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May 29, June 1, 2,3 and 4 DoD News has reported Near Beiji, xx airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage. This is the only location where the phrase has been used over the past week. I was interested to see that apparently on 5 separate occasions ISIL has been denied a tactical advantage based on strikes on land features.
The Tigris River flows to the East of Beiji and appears to be much wider there than to the immediate south. I suspect that the land features targeted near Beiji may be associated with crossing points along the Tigris.
1LT Scott Doyle, SGT Lawrence Corser, Maj Chris Nelson, MAJ Ken Landgren, LTC Paul Labrador, Capt Seid Waddell, CPT Ahmed Faried, COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM,
The Tigris River flows to the East of Beiji and appears to be much wider there than to the immediate south. I suspect that the land features targeted near Beiji may be associated with crossing points along the Tigris.
1LT Scott Doyle, SGT Lawrence Corser, Maj Chris Nelson, MAJ Ken Landgren, LTC Paul Labrador, Capt Seid Waddell, CPT Ahmed Faried, COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM,
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SGT Lawrence Corser
that is interesting, it isnt as if they couldnt just find another route I guess. but hey I am not sure these airstrikes are doing that much good.
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In addition to the May 29 DoD posting referenced by Capt Seid Waddell, the following DoD News posting contained the subject phrase. I concur with Capt Waddell that destroying capabilities to cross rivers would yield a tactical advantage. I am not certain that knocking out buildings would yield a tactical advantage for very long. I note that on May 5 a tactical advantage is obtained near Ar Raqqah, Syria by attacking land features while the phrase is not used in a strike against Mosul the same day which destroyed an "ISIL defensive position." Therefore I believe the phrase is focused on land features which can be exploited in offensive operations such as river crossing capabilities and not used against defensive systems including buildings.
May 5 - Near Ar Raqqah, Syria three airstrikes struck land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
Contrasted with -- May 5 - Near Mosul, Iraq seven airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL defensive position.
May 5 - Near Ar Raqqah, Syria three airstrikes struck land features, denying ISIL a tactical advantage.
Contrasted with -- May 5 - Near Mosul, Iraq seven airstrikes struck two ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, two ISIL staging areas, two ISIL excavators and an ISIL defensive position.
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1LT William Clardy
Maybe ISIS will attempt to counter the "land features" bombing offensive by mounting their next offensive across a featureless desert, LTC Stephen F.?
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