A ground Forward Air Controller (FAC) cannot describe the gun position precisely enough in the crowded third world country downtown area so he improvises. He takes out his signal mirror and shines it on the enemy. The Cobra gunship pilot sees the reflection and radios in. A TOW ATGM obliterates the building tip and the Rangers continue to lead the way across the island, rescuing American medical students not the lies foisted in the Hollywood movie, Heartbreak Ridge. Read the book below if you do not already know the truth.

From Urgent Fury: the Battle for Grenada by Maj Mark Adkin

1991. Northern Iraq.

WO Randy "Bulldog" Ballwanz's Special Forces recon team watching a highway is detected by civilians and surrounded soon by Iraqi infantry. They radio for an extraction helicopter, but it will not arrive for another 20 minutes. Running low on ammo, the team doesn't have 20 minutes before being over-run. A USAF F-16C Fighting Falcon flies overhead and can drop ordnance to help. But where is the team located so it doesn't get hurt by the bombs?

SFC DeGroff, a team member with M16 rifle/M203 grenade launcher radios to the F-16C pilot and has him orientate from the visible moon to the sun, and when directly over their position, roll over so they can signal mirror flash their position to him. The pilot radios back: "Bingo! I got you!"

The F-16C drops the ordnance on the Iraqis, not the SF SR Team, killing over 100 of them. Soon thereafter an Army Blackhawk helicopter lands, picks up the SF Team which returns to base safely without any injury.

(The Discovery Channel, "American Commandos", 1-800-765-0066 $19.95)

This kind of flexibility and resourcefulness is the by-word of every Paratrooper, Ranger and SF trooper.

The Face Paint, Camo Compact (NSN 6850-01262-0635). A simple improvement is a small hole in the mirror center so you can pop it out and use it as a signaling device.

You can create this with your penknife in a few seconds so you can have a "target designator" and a rescue signal that can be seen for miles. Using the mirror you place the sun spot in the palm of the hand not holding the mirror and look at your target through the pinhole you created. This differs from the straight-on-technique used on the laminated glass G.I. signal mirror, but is just as effective.

Another improvement is for the face paint to provide UV protection (at least SF15) and an effective insect repellent. The modifications are presently available in the Australian military's issue face paint, Paint, Face, Camouflage NSN 6580-66-130-0172. This cream is available from:

Camtech
PO Box 1269
Parramatta 2142, New South Wales
Australia

A third change needed for insect repellent to be incorporated into the cream so in combat the Soldier will only have to carry one item to be provided with threes types of protection (camouflage, sun screen and insect repellent). This would eliminate having to carry three separate items cluttering his BDU pockets whose extra material acts as a heat sink that increases his heat stress.

With U.S. Army forces able to be AIR-delivered to any spot in a rapidly win quickly and decisively. The future of world peace and the TRUTH depends on it.