Why I Love Their Job – Forward Observer
On the fourth anniversary of a close friends death. SSG Ian Deutch was killed on duty, as a Nye County Sheriff–27 days after returning home from Afghanistan. SSG Deutch was a skilled forward observer, whom I had the privilege to serve alongside while in Afghanistan.
SSG Ian Deutch, EOW 4-26-2010
Forward observers are the link between the units on ground and various fire assets available to those units. These could include anything from 60mm mortars to fixed wing, artillery, and naval guns. In our area of operations our greatest assets were our 81mm mortars. A platoon of fast acting, highly accurate mortarman, who stood ready at their guns 24 hours a day, every day until we all came home. Our mortars could put a round on target in a matter of minutes, but it was our forward observers who told them where those targets were.
Our forward observers, were all trained by SSG Deutch. If it wasn’t his Hamburglar sounding voice over the radio, it was one of his soldiers. The standard which he held himself to, and he held his soldiers to, shaped the battle space. It had a positive effect on our missions, and capabilities. It also had a dramatic effect on the capabilities of the enemy forces within the area.
Our enemy, never attempted to stand and fight, which isn’t unusual for the modern enemy faced. But having spoken to the units we relieved, and the units who relieved us. The enemy adjusted their techniques based on the unit on ground. They stayed and fought the preceding unit. They never stuck around more than a few minutes with us, because that was all they had. Within three minutes 81mm mortar rounds were landing within 100 meters of their position, the adjustments to follow were always fast and deadly accurate.
The psychological effect of this was damning. And the effects were obvious. A skilled forward observer can save lives by reducing the enemy’s offensive capabilities.
The forward observer; with a radio, map and compass is the single most damage producing individual on the battlefield. Do I want to do this job? No, lots of map reading and math, and I am simply not that good at it. But I am always happy to have one around.
We all miss you brother, thank you.
Category: Police, Real Soldiers, War Stories
A fitting tribute. What better epitaph could we all wish for, that “He did what was expected and he did it well”.
God bless SSG Deutch and prayers for his family.
RIP
Rest In Peace SSG Deutch. Thank you Adam for this story.
Adam:
Thank you for the beautifully written tribute to your friend, SSG Ian Deutch.
May God continue to protect him, his family and friends.
Mike
“I” Troop, 3/11 ACR (’67-’68)
Nassau County PD (Ret.)
Adam,
I hope you don’t mind if I insert a link here describing the circumstances of Ian’s death as posted on the “Officer Down Memorial Page.” Please delete it you prefer: http://www.odmp.org/officer/20382-deputy-sheriff-ian-michael-deutch
Killed in the line of duty by a scum-nut while responding to the most dangerous call any LEO can answer: a family disturbance.
How tragic.
Not at all, thank you for the post.
Rest in Peace, SSGT Deutch.
No military can succeed without its scouts.
Rest in peace,SSG Deutch.
Ian’s brother Rich is one of my best friends and I remember that night when I got the call from him that Ian was killed. Miss you bro.
All of us have one of those stories, because we all remember where we were that night.
Thank you everyone. You guys are amazing.
Thank you for all the loving comments about my son Ian Deutch. I love hearing the stories about things he did. I know there are many, but I’ve only heard a few. Thank you for thinking of him and keeping him in your thoughts.Let him never be forgotten.
No, Ms. Deutch – it is we who thank you. You raised your son Ian to be a damn fine man.
Our loss is far less than yours, but we grieve with you nonetheless. We lost a brother-in-arms.