Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Adapting

War is not a static enterprise. As I said they would (and doing it the way I said they should), the loyalists have adapted to our air power sufficiently to drive east to Burayqah (Brega):

Gadhafi's forces also have adopted a new tactic in light of the pounding airstrikes have given their tanks and armored vehicles, a senior U.S. intelligence official said. They've left those weapons behind in favor of a "gaggle" of "battle wagons": minivans, sedans and SUVs fitted with weapons, said the official, who spoke anonymously in order to discuss sensitive U.S. intelligence on the condition and capabilities of rebel and regime forces.

The change not only makes it harder to distinguish Gadhafi's forces from the rebels, it also requires less logistical support, the official said.

Let's see what we have up our sleeves, in response. American or Western special forces on the ground with the rebels to accurately call in fire after identifying targets would be the no-brainer response. Maybe flying in attack helicopters from sea platforms to reach the coastal road with Hellfire missiles might work in some places. Maybe AC-130 gunships and A-10s recently brought in could work better with this target set.

UPDATE: The loyalists are adapting to our air power in another way I suggested, by hiding their vehicles under cover until they need to use them. I had an article on that and apparently deleted it. If I find it again, I'll post a link and quote it.