A Bradley provides support by fire as Ukrainian troops prepare to assault a Russian trench somewhere in the Zaporizhzhia AO. Note the individual in the right foreground with the M-16. As the Bradley lays down fire, a Ukrainian soldier adds some belt-fed love to the mix. This is a good use of the IFV as an infantry support platform.

The sight of disabled Bradleys in recent weeks has been sobering, but the of utility of the M242 Bushmaster chain gun in supporting troops and the saddleback TOW system for engaging armor is undeniable. Furthermore, multiple articles and videos have emerged in which Ukrainian soldiers speak to the survivability and the repairability of the platform, particularly when compared to legacy Soviet systems such as the BMP. The Bradley may not be perfect, but the Ukrainian military appears to be making good use of it.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through sailing.