Re: (OT) Rules "inspiration" (was [OT] Bring and Battle

John Atkinson wrote:

> >> Similarly, why do infantrymen often fire their rifles at aircraft
> and >> helicopters? Is it because they have worked out that they might
>
> actually >> have a 0.0003% chance of damaging it, or just because it
> makes them feel a >> little bit less like fish in a barrel...?
>

> Don't forget engine intakes.	Suck a 5.56mm piece of lead into the
> engine intake and your expensive flying machine is suddenly at one
> with
> the landscape.
>

Let's also not forget a few things about the aircraft defense IAD
(Immediate action drill in US Army parlance).

1. It's only used at aircraft and ehlicopters flying within small armrs
range 300-500 meters. Over that just lay low.

2. While one guy with a rifle has a freak chance of hitting an aircraft,
100 w/ rifles and MGs can put some lead in the path of travel.

3. WHile yes it does make the men feel good to be "fighting back", most
importantly....

4. It scaers the shit out of pilots to be seeing all that mess in front
of their windscreen. And that's the primary reason for it. If teh ground
troops say, hey why bother? Then youa re letting attacking aircraft and
helicopters have a "free lunch" if you will. It's all about screwing up
people's minds.

And yes while there are some armored aircraft, most can sustain damage
from small arms if they are hit. That's why you don't se ethem flying
that low on their attack runs. Helicopters are in a bind of course and
smalla rms fire IS effective against them. Not every enemy helicopter is
an Apache you know.

Los