Thunder runs are a literal show of force. Are they effective as a deterrent, or just a waste of time and resources?

COL Lee Flemming — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 05:06:51 -0400

Remember the Thunder Runs of the Bosnia, Kosovo and early Iraq days? In light of yesterday's Korea flyover, are they or have they ever been effective?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 13 at 2016 6:13 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:13:33 -0400

Depends on the psychological factor caused by it.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Sep 13 at 2016 6:22 AM

1SG Mike Case — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:22:44 -0400

The thunder run into Iraq (also the title of a book by David Zucchino) I think was a great move on our part. A definite must read that showed how we entered Baghdad and ended up controlling key parts of that city.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 13 at 2016 8:19 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:19:17 -0400

Waste of time and resources

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:46:35 -0400

im not sure about Bosnia or Iraq but firing of 155mm at my FOB in Afhganistan at our known and historic PO sites was effective as show of force oh and so was the illuminating rounds at random times of the night.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:54:39 -0400

I'd say very psychologically effective at the least. Also with all the media coverage the last Thunder Run received, it must scare the pants off the enemy in some form or fashion, lol. If I saw the 3ID rolling through my town blowing crap up, I would second guess my chances of survival at a minimum.

Response by PO2 Marty Sharpe made Sep 13 at 2016 8:55 AM

PO2 Marty Sharpe — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:55:57 -0400

Not sure if they are effective or not. But I sure have been on several show the flag cruises with big guns or a large number of aircraft. I think the general populace of an area says wow and forgets about it. The local government changes their thinking to accomadate the threat. Maybe they pull back maybe they decide their ideals warrant taking on the threat.
Not sure there is a definitive answer.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 13 at 2016 1:12 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:12:59 -0400

Depends on how much thunder accompanies the run! Two B-1Bs with fighter escort....Lot of potential thunder on those rigs. Three Hummers with SAWs, not so much.

Response by SCPO Penny Douphinett made Sep 13 at 2016 1:23 PM

SCPO Penny Douphinett — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:23:46 -0400

I can't speak to most of it, but I can tell you what the local civilians I worked with in Bosnia thought. When U.S. troops came into the French Sector where I was, they were always in a convoy with machine guns and antennas whipping around and everyone dressed and armed for war. To leave our camp, you got on the commuter bus or one person in the vehicle had to have a weapon, no protective gear needed. The civilians just laughed and would tell me my countrymen were here and they would bet me 5 marks if the visitors would pose for pictures in front of the building in camp that was still mined and off-limits. I lost every time! The French sector commander believed there was no need to antagonize the population as we were there to keep the peace.
I'm not saying there were no dangers or I took my safety or the protection of others lightly; just that it can be overdone.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Sep 14 at 2016 5:46 PM

1SG Al Brown — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 17:46:35 -0400

Once, if well observed, can be a wonderful psychological tactic for those in power, that want to control the momentum. Twice can be very painful, if those not in power get a large shipment of RPGs.

Response by SGT Mathew Husen made Sep 17 at 2016 5:06 PM

SGT Mathew Husen — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 17:06:11 -0400

Every night out on TDC was a thunder run. We would hit every bar and club on the strip before curfew....lol

Response by CPT Bill McNeely made Sep 18 at 2016 9:57 PM

CPT Bill McNeely — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 21:57:13 -0400

A show of force is like crying wolf, done too much it looses it's effect.

The Thunder Run in Iraq was effective because it shortened the conventional war by weeks