Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001
Afghanistan and beyond
Thomas M. Miovas, Jr.
HB wrote:
>3. Interesting comparison: the US vs. the Soviets
>in fighting in Afghanistan. So far, it looks like
>we're having an easy time of it compared to the Soviet
>quagmire of failure.
My father was in the US Navy for thirty years, now retired though wishing
he could re-enlist. While in that service, he was the chief weather
forecaster for the USS Enterprise (now engaged in the current war). During
war games with the Soviets in the Indian Ocean, he helped the US win by
accurately predicting the path and scope of a cyclone, that gave us cover
and nearly destroyed several Soviet aircraft. It may seem strange that we
would have war games with our, then, greatest enemy, but a lot can be
learned during such activities -- and you can show off your capabilities as
a deterrence to actual war.
What is significant is this context is that during these war games, each
side had access to the other's radio frequencies. The biggest hindrance to
the Soviet military was their refusal to let those on the front lines make
their own decisions (within parameters, of course) regarding engaging the
enemy. This came about due to a massive distrust of their own rank and
file. The most often heard radio broadcast by the Soviet fighters calling
to their masters was: "What do I do next?!"
I recently attended the Fort Worth International Air Show this past Sunday,
and will write up a further report later. Significantly, *all* of our
fighting men -- not just the military pilots -- were primed and ready to go
to war: they were proud, self-assured, and had great self-confidence. By
contrast, the crew of Russia's largest flying cargo carrier were timid and
had little self-esteem. Of course, they may not have been military, but the
Fed-X guys even stood head and shoulders above the Russian cargo crew.
Regarding what to do about Afghanistan. There is a mythos surrounding that
country that it has never been successfully occupied by a foreign power. If
we can go in, conquer them, and take it over, that mythos would be
destroyed, and the rest of the Mideast would take notice. I say we do it,
but it doesn't look like that is in the plans.
