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                                              ~FTER flCTION

                    ITEM:  BD~/Target Identification

                    OBSERV~TION:   Lack of timely, accurate Battle Damage ~ssessment
                    (8D~) fimited our ability to identify legitimate, valid targets.

                    DISCUSSION:  BDfl is generally required for two purposes:
                    immediate restrike decionmaking and longer term assessment of
                    continuing enemy. capabilities.  The theater BD~ system (Combat
                    ~ssessment Center) was oriented towards the latter, and did not
                    support restrike decisionmaking   The CENT~F Combat ~ssessments
                    Cell  (C~C) was intended to support the restrike cycle, but did
                    not receive information in a timely or accurate enough manner to
                    do so.  The lack of a single target numbering system hindered the

                    a~brgl~~~t~ to identify targets in thej~~Cc~r0Ce55 The component
                    -`Target Request Number" for each target nominated.  This T~R~ was
          ,         placed on the Target Planning Worksheet, from which the ~tO is
~ft~  ~r~~          ~enerated.  Thus the T~R~ lasted until the ~TD was published.
-~      , \\.:~ISREPs were returned based on mission number - not related to
%--.-?~ .~~r;~~;~~R~, requiring a ma:~ual cross reference to identify the results
          -~        of a specific strike on a target.  Quality of MISREPs also.varied
                    ~reatly, and, at best, only reflect a "first cut" pilot's
                     ssessment of mission results.   Comments such as "bombed through
           4clouds" or "bombed on radar return" were frequent, along with
          ~~~classics such as "dropped bombs, mission successful."


          4~'?~~~SSONS LE~RNED:       8D~ should be provided to both the target
                             and the current ops targeteers.  Moreover, MISREPS and
  - .-    -         *~imagery 8D~ etc, should state in black and white terms if target
                     5 worthy of a re-strike.

                    --- ECOMMEND~TIDN: tracking BD~ is a full time job, and the Marine
                     iaison element should be staffed accordingly.  In fact, MarLnO
          .. ~targets personnel collected BDfl from the CENT~F C~C and data-
    ;`~-~:~`~       transferred same to I MEF.

        - - .

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