Battle Analysis of Ia Drang
SFC Buch, Louis
SLC 16-003
Battle Analysis of Ia Drang
Selecting a battle that the United States participated in was quite difficult. The United States has been involved in numerous battles throughout its existence. Each battle has provided great insight on mission command successes as well as failures. For this research paper, I selected to review the Battle of Ia Drang which took place in the midst of the Vietnam war. The outcome of the war was less favorable as there was not a distinct winner, which can be attributed to the unfamiliar warfare the United States had encountered. This paper will illustrate the events of the Ia Drang battle, intelligence discipline/assets utilized, and a potential outcome based on…show more content… From the start, the insertion of 7TH Calvary into the Pei Mei area can be construed as being poorly planned or hasty. Thorough planning is integral to mission success, not only in regards to completing the mission but limiting the number of friendly casualties. The two intelligence disciplines that were utilized and integrated to the battle of Ia Drang were Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT).
IMINT
Incorporating IMINT into any operation is extremely vital for facilitating successful operations. Based on after action reviews, LTC Moore conducted a reconnaissance the day prior to their infiltration in order to determine which helicopter landing zones (HLZ) to use (in-text citation). This reconnaissance enabled himself and his staff to select the most suitable HLZ. There are some factors that may have prevented the effective utilization…show more content… Interrogations of prisoners of wars was practiced throughout the Vietnam war. Upon initial entry, two prisoners of war were obtained which helped identify the disposition and size of enemy within the area of operation. Due to the persistent attacks, a thorough interrogation of these prisoners of war would not help in this situation. One method that HUMINT would have benefit this battle would have to be with Human Source Contact Operations. Recruiting these sources would be beneficial for adding additional assets in determining enemy disposition and activities. Prior to the Battle of Ia Drang, commanders should have invested time on recruiting these sources to obtain information on the surrounding areas. In addition, building a good rapport with the locals may have added to the 7th Cavalry’s
