Commander of GOC Army Headquarters explained in a conference on Tuesday
(Nov. 16) that the solution to urban warfare is stronger cooperation between
forces and corps

Bamahane magazine 24 November 2010 , 13:07

“The Air Force is more accurate in urban warfare,” said Commander of GOC
Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman, in a conference about urban
warfare which took place in Beit Hatotchan in Zichron Ya’akov on Tuesday
(Nov. 16). “The challenge before us is combat against terrorist
organizations in developed areas,” explained the Maj. Gen. “As a result, our
on-the-ground attacks are not accurate enough and do not always present the
best solution.”

Maj. Gen. Turgeman explained that the IAF has limitations as well. With
that, he said there has been significant improvement in the level of
precision of Air Force fire in the past four years.

According to Head of IAF Chopper Squadron, Brig. Gen. David Barki, IDF fire
reached a level of precision of 36% in the Second Lebanon War, compared to
Operation Cast Lead which saw much higher precision of 91%.

“In terms of precision in IDF fire, the army has improved greatly. Today’s
conflicts, however, pose new challenges those planning our movements on the
field didn’t face before,” stressed Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen.
Gabi Ashkenazi, in the conference. “Because of the type of enemy we face,
the importance of action on the battlefield and of prior intelligence has
increased dramatically. We will not be able to go to battle just by being
prepared for combat and knowing the region. When the time comes, we will
need background intelligence.”

Maj. Gen. Turgeman explained that the solution for urban warfare is stronger
cooperation between air and ground forces. “Strength in combat along with
soldiers on various parts of the field will ameliorate the difficulties in
regions such as Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and others,” added the Maj. Gen.