That could spell disaster at a critical time when ground forces are trying to find a specific target or location, are involved in a firefight or are just trying to get from one place to another in countries with few, if any, road signs. That’s where satellite communications, GPS and imagery help make operating in Iraq and Afghanistan successful and effective.
“For example, precision navigation and timing provided by GPS enables us to provide exact air and land coordinates, which is critical to virtually every aspect of military operations — regardless of weather or geography,” General Lord said.
BOMBS ON THE TARGET
At no time is that accuracy more critical than when Airmen have to put bombs on target — like when ground forces under fire call for close air support. But with GPS, the accuracy of where the bombs land is now measured in feet — not miles. When bombs have GPS guidance systems, pilots can put them precisely where tactical controllers want them. Even if that smart bomb is dropped from the belly of a bomber flying at 30,000 feet. These precision strikes — like on targets in downtown Baghdad during the invasion of Iraq — prove the importance of space assets in reducing damage to non-tactical targets.
Sergeant Shepherd has called in some of those types of strikes. He gets as specific as telling a pilot to put a bomb through the “easternmost window, third story on the north face of a building.” In that kind of strike, “accuracy becomes pretty important,” he said.
As the use of space assets continues to gain converts, space operators will continue to provide ground forces timely support with fewer friendly fire incidents. Space will enable these operators to see and act faster, allowing the military — in general — to react to situations more rapidly and decisively. Such is the case in the proving grounds of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Fewer troops will be in harm’s way as Iraq transitions into a new form of government and takes a greater role in its own protection, Colonel McLaughlin said. During this time, delivery of space assets will be even more critical.
“In many cases, space effects can be delivered in a manner that requires very little U.S. presence on the ground and almost no signature for those Iraqis anxious to assume more responsibility for their own future,” the colonel said.
In the meantime, the war against insurgents continues in Iraq and Afghanistan. That guarantees that space operators will stay busy. So will tactical controllers on the ground — who will continue to rely on their unseen space partners to help them put bombs on targets.
Space will continue to play a large role in the fight. Space assets will help in communications, surveillance, intelligence, search and rescue and in locating targets ground troops cannot reach safely. And Sergeant Reddinger said he’ll continue to play his part.
