On Saturday, Nov 27, 2010, at 11:56 AM Tim O'Reilly <> sent the following:
<Clip>
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>...In the United States Army, the term combat support refers to
>units that provide fire support and operational assistance to combat
>elements. Combat support units provide specialized support functions
>to combat units in the areas of chemical warfare, combat
>engineering, intelligence, security, and communications.
>
<Moar clip>
>
>Actual combat units are collectively referred to as combat arms
>units; hence, all army units fall into the category of either combat
>arms, combat support, or combat service support.
>
<Now comes the good part>
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>US Army classifications include: Chemical Corps ... Combat or
>similar engineers ... Military Intell ... Mil. Police ... Signal
>Corps ...
>Army Aviation (incl battlefield recon, signals intell, and air >assault elements)
Combat support?!? AVIATION?!? Them's fightin' words, Seventh Army!
Aviation operates near, on and even past the FLOT (forward line of [own] troops). It has been considered a combat arm since April 12, 1983, when it became a branch. Sure, it has combat support and service support missions; in fact, it is the ONLY branch that has combat, combat support and combat service support missions as its jurisdiction.
In Desert Storm my battalion, 4/229th [Advanced] Attack Helicopter Regiment (Flying Tigers), flew the first ever cross-FLOT night deep attack in support of the battle of 73 Easting. We ambushed the Tawanaka Brigade in Iraqi territory, farther than Coalition artillery could reach, and after four hours flew away with 35 destroyed enemy tanks, almost 200 -ahem- support vehicles, and one camel, with zero losses of US vehicles and personnel.
Support. Yeah, right. I'm sure the White Mice think the same way ... but they don't deliberately operate in the enemy's backyard.
Cougashika - Apaches Own The Night! (...after the Kiowas are done with it)
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