Thinking of Tankers Tactically
- Thread starter Ths
- Start date
Does this reinforce the case for specialised airfield defence units, whose role, apart from general airbase security, would include securing a perimeter that would deny the ability of an enemy to position MANPADS where they could bring down aircraft that are landing or taking off? Obviously the landing approaches might require a large number of personnel but losing a troop transport could be devastating. I know that some air forces (the RAAF for example) do have their own airfield defence units but I don't know if these units are large enough to patrol and secure the landing approaches.
Cheers
In the Luftwaffe every wing has its own light infantry company which is numerous enough to perform a wartime security perimeter and is especially trained to counter (small) enemy units broken through the main defense, special forces and irregulars.
At least this is one of the view fields were cold war experience (aka Speznaz and co.) have led to a thing which is very usefull during assymetric battles.
At least this is one of the view fields were cold war experience (aka Speznaz and co.) have led to a thing which is very usefull during assymetric battles.
One of the only thing on the side of the tankers (or any non-self defense capable aircraft) is the fact that the MANPADs have a very, very short battery life. so if you change things up...its harder to predict where you will be. Change up which direction you will be landing and how your approach into the airfield is. Even if you do all of that, you are still a target and after a bit of time they understand the routine. Nothing can replace good solid manpower down below protecting your butt in the air.