Talk:United States Naval Gunfire Support debate/@comment-2A02:C7F:8A5D:F600:19B1:44F7:92FF:C8E-20200221201816

Naval Gunfire direction and or forward observation is a specialist skill, and whilst I appreciate the rise in technology from both fire and forget missile systems and automated mapping gunfire control including the use of drones, the use of covert operators to identify targets undetected is still best served by boots on the ground. The risk is greater yes. But having witnessed numerous calls for air support that solely rely on tech, I have a fear the art of NGS is likely lost forever.

148 Forward Obsveration battery, were used in the former Yugoslavia to identify both targets and potential war crimes. I don't recall one account of the battery ever been detected whilst on operation and yet the evidence they gathered led to the conviction of numerous enemy combatants at war crimes tribunerals.

personally having been out of the service since just after the turn of the millennium I remain confident in putting a 45 shell through your front door letterbox at 25miles plus whilst my now fat ass remains undetected.

modern warfare is changing but the skill set that has seen both the UK & US successful on the battlefield should be maintained.

Naval Commandos in my opinion remain the most effective way to covertly deploy aggressive fighting troops behind enemy lines whilst having the ability to fight the ship from afar.

Thanks for the opportunity to add comment.

stevieNix Former NGS