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Article 6883 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: olson@dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov (Paul Olson)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy,rec.arts.sf.misc,alt.cyberpunk
Subject: Re: 21st Century Soldier
Message-ID: <11SEP199211572401@dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Date: 11 Sep 92 16:57:00 GMT
References: <185borINNj1l@agate.berkeley.edu> <4SEP199212055495@dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov> <1992Sep10.172333.4545@oracle.us.oracle.com> <1992Sep10.194805.6289@linus.mitre.org>
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In article <1992Sep10.194805.6289@linus.mitre.org>, m23364@mwunix (James
Meritt) writes... >  >I must have missed the hand-to-hand combat that took
place in Kuwait/Iraq. >Where/when did it occur? >  High-tech equipment is
always valuable against a foe who cannot, or in the case of Iraq, will not
resist.  The 8 year war with Iran did more to destroy the Iraqi army than did
U.S. technology.  I think Desert Storm would have been much different if the
Iraqis had decided to fight.  The outcome may not have been different, but the
costs would have been much higher.  And I think there would have been some
defense contractors who would have been fined as a result of the high-tech
equipment not performing the way it should have.  Just take the wing crack
problems the F-16's were found to have as an example of the breakdown of high
tech equipment.

One thing I've been afraid of since Iraq is that it would give the people of
this country a false sense that our technology will overcome all enemies, and
from the messages which have appeared here, I would have to say that my fears
have been realized.  Everyone should remember that we can win a few battles,
but unless we are willing to fight on the enemies terms, we will still lose the
war.  Iraq worked a fixed set stance.  Our air power was able to kick the snot
out of them (besides their not willing to fight).  What would have happened if
they decided to fight a guerilla war?  Our air power would have been
meaningless against small fire group teams.  How effective was our air power in
Vietnam?

Dr. Forbin


